From Development to Product Management

I have worked as a software developer for many years and have loved "almost" every minute of it.  Recently, I decided that product management was the new path I wanted my career to take but I had no idea how to go about making that transition.  I started by running searches on "how to be a product manager" or "how to transition from software developer to product manager" and I quickly discovered a common theme.  Product management isn't something you decide you want to do and then start looking for a job as one.  It is one of those fields where you need to gather experience first, then job search later.

How does one gain experience in the field without first getting a job as a product manager?  

Talk with other Product Managers in your company

I am taking the approach (since I'm still not a product manager yet) of talking with the existing product managers at my company.  This has the great benefit of allowing me to gather personal experience information from others helping me determine whether this is something I really want to do.  Aside from giving you some outside exposure to the field, this also gives you the advantage of being someone to keep in mind when that new product management position comes up.

Talk to the "Director of Product Management"

Once I gathered the information I was interested in, I decided it's time to speak with the Director of Product Management.  I approached this individual expressing my interest in the field.  This has the same benefit as above where your name is in their mind when they next look to fill a product management position.  This person will also often have the final say when you do decide to apply for that opening.  I was pleased to discover the Director of Product Management in my company was very approachable.  They made several suggestions of tasks I could take on and added me to a variety of important mailing lists.  This allowed me to silently observe the interactions between our existing product managers and our customers.  I would periodically question some of the responses or even take a stab (in a controlled environment) at a potential response myself.

Tell your manager

You may choose to approach this differently but I openly discussed my ambitions with my existing managers and they have been more than helpful in supporting my goals.  They have sent me on training courses and have also made some suggestions on areas I could gain further involvement.  I was nervous about this before but took the chance anyway.  I was pleased to see the value placed on the employee within my company and they show an honest desire to grow their employees.

Now it's in your hands

Only so much can be handed to you by others when trying to make this transition.  If suggestions are presented to you, it is up to you to take those on an execute them to the best of your abilities.  Showing incentive will go a long way and will make you noticed by those that have the power to influence your career.  I have been working toward this for just under a year and feel I am progressing well.  I realize that even though my business card doesn't say "Product Manger" yet, I am gaining valuable experience which will help me to "hit the ground running" once that opportunity does show itself.

I'm not trying to come across as an expert on how to break in to the field of Product Management.  I simply wish to relay my experiences in hopes that it might help others who are also attempting to make the transition.

--Ken