In our latest episode on The Story Points, PK and I (Niraj) dive deep into a topic we’ve both wrestled with over our careers in product: How technical does a product manager really need to be? Whether you’re already in product management, looking to transition from a non-technical background, or simply curious, this conversation has something for everyone.
Key Takeaways
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Business Insight vs. Technical Expertise
You don’t have to be a coding pro to excel in product. Understanding core business needs and the broader user context often matters just as much—if not more—than reading code.
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Learning “Just Enough Tech”
Familiarize yourself with basic concepts (like APIs, front-end/back-end differences) so you can communicate effectively with developers and stakeholders. It’s more about bridging the gap than writing lines of code.
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Curiosity Over Credentials
We share how asking the right questions, being genuinely inquisitive, and empathizing with customers and tech teams can help you navigate seemingly complex systems, even without a formal coding background.
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Real-World Scenarios
From shifting aggregator services to managing protocol mismatches, PK recalls experiences where the true value of a product manager lay in problem-solving and stakeholder alignment, not in writing code.
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Building Trust Across Teams
We also emphasize the importance of transparency and open dialogue—admitting what you don’t know, listening to technical constraints, and explaining them in business terms is a hallmark of a great PM.