Do Product Managers need coding skill or Should they learn to code?

No, Product managers do not necessarily need coding skills as a strict requirement for their role, but having the ability to code can provide them an upper hand in their day-to-day responsibilities. The primary focus of a product manager is on defining the product vision, strategy, and roadmap, as well as prioritizing features, coordinating with various stakeholders, and ensuring the successful delivery of the product.

However, having coding skills can be beneficial in certain situations:

1. Improved Communication with Engineering Teams: Understanding basic coding concepts can help product managers communicate more effectively with engineering teams. It allows them to better grasp technical constraints, assess implementation complexities, and facilitate smoother collaboration.
2. Evaluating Technical Feasibility: While product managers typically do not write code themselves, having a basic understanding of coding can help them evaluate the technical feasibility of proposed features or solutions. This can aid in making informed decisions and setting realistic expectations.
3. Prototyping and MVP Development: Some product managers may choose to learn coding skills to create prototypes or minimum viable products (MVPs) themselves. This hands-on approach can facilitate rapid iteration and experimentation, especially in early-stage startups or small teams with limited resources.
4. Facilitating Innovation: Coding skills can empower product managers to explore new ideas, experiment with emerging technologies, and quickly validate hypotheses through rapid prototyping or proof-of-concept development.
5. Career Growth and Flexibility: While coding skills are not a strict requirement for product management roles, they can enhance your versatility and open up opportunities for career advancement. Technical proficiency can enable transitions into roles such as technical product management, product marketing, or even entrepreneurship.

Ultimately, the decision to learn coding as a product manager depends on individual career aspirations, the nature of the products or industries you work in, and the dynamics of your team and organization. While coding skills can be valuable, they are not essential for success in product management. Focus on developing a strong foundation in core product management skills such as strategic thinking, market analysis, user research, and stakeholder management, and consider learning coding as an additional tool to augment your capabilities if it aligns with your goals.