Whether you’re new to product management or an experienced professional trying to improve your skills, this list of “Top 20 Must-Read Product Management Books” is like a road map for understanding the constantly changing world of creating and improving products.
These books can help you improve your leadership skills, understand customer behavior, or innovate in the startup area. Let’s go through each book, looking at summaries, major features, and the advice each author provides.
Product Management Books
1. Cracking the PM Interview
Brief Summary:
Cracking the PM Interview, written by Gayle Laakmann McDowell and Jackie Bavaro is the best book for Product manager interview preparation. This book provide you a clear understanding of PM role varies between companies, what experiences you need, how to make your existing experience translate, what a great PM resume and cover letter looks like, and then how to master the PM interview questions.
Key Features:
- The book covers a broad range of topics relevant to PM interviews.
- Provides Strategy and Tips for interview prep.
- This book helps you to improve problem solving skills by different case studies.
- This book give you a glance of how PM resume and cover letter looks like.
Author: Gayle Laakmann McDowell and Jackie BavaroRating: 4.4Price: $37
Why You Should Read
If you are preparing for Product Manager Interview, this book provide you a complete preparation guide for product management interviews, including behavioral questions, case studies, product sense, and estimating difficulties.
Key Learning
- Clarity on the responsibilities and expectations of a product manager.
- Strategies for approaching and solving case interview questions.
- Tips for creating an effective product management resume and Cover Letter.
2. Inspired: How To Create Products Customers Love
Brief Summary:
Marty Cagan, a luminary at Silicon Valley Product Group, organized his wealth of experience into “Inspired.” The book serves as a comprehensive guide, offering actionable insights into the art of crafting products that resonate with customers.
Key Features:
- Practical advice on product development.
- Real-world examples illustrating successful strategies.
- Strategies for building products with a customer-centric focus.
Author: Marty Cagan, Partner at Silicon Valley Product Group.Rating: 4.6Price: $18
Why You Should Read:
Gain a deep understanding of the principles and practices that underpin successful product development. “Inspired” is your roadmap to creating products that customers not only use but love.
Key Learnings:
- The importance of customer-centricity in product development.
- Strategies for translating ideas into successful products.
- Real-world case studies showcasing effective product management.
3. Lean Product and Lean Analytics
Brief Summary:
Dive into the principles of lean thinking with “Lean Product and Lean Analytics” by Ben Yoskovitz and Alistair Croll. The book provides practical insights into applying lean methodologies and analytics to measure progress effectively.
Key Features:
- Practical advice on adopting lean practices.
- Guidance on leveraging analytics for informed decision-making.
- Case studies illustrating the successful application of lean principles.
Author: Ben Yoskovitz, Partner at Highline BETA, and Alistair Croll, Author and Entrepreneur.Rating: 4.5Price: $ 32
Why You Should Read:
Equip yourself with the tools to streamline your product development process. This book is a valuable resource for those looking to enhance efficiency and make data-driven decisions.
Key Learnings:
- Implementing lean methodologies in product development.
- Using analytics to measure progress and optimize strategies.
- Real-world examples of successful lean practices.
Brief Summary:
Delve into the psychology of habit formation with Nir Eyal’s “Hooked.” This insightful guide uncover the secrets behind creating products with irresistible user experiences that keep customers coming back.
Key Features:
- Insights into behavioral psychology and habit formation.
- Introduction to the Hook Model for product design.
- Practical strategies for building habit-forming products.
Author: Nir Eyal, Author and Lecturer.Rating:4.5Price: $15
Why You Should Read:
Discover the psychological triggers that make products addictive and learn how to apply these principles to enhance user engagement. “Hooked” is a playbook for creating products that capture and retain user attention.
Key Learnings:
- Understanding the psychology of user behavior.
- Implementing the Hook Model for product design.
- Strategies for building products with lasting user engagement.
5. The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses
Brief Summary:
In “The Lean Startup,” Eric Ries introduces the Lean Startup methodology, emphasizing continuous innovation as the key to creating successful and sustainable businesses.
Key Features:
- Principles of the Lean Startup methodology.
- Emphasis on validated learning and iterative development.
- Case studies of successful lean startups.
Author: Eric Ries, Entrepreneur and Author.Rating: 4.5Price: $ 49
Why You Should Read:
Uncover the principles that have revolutionized startup culture worldwide. “The Lean Startup” provides a blueprint for building businesses that thrive in the face of uncertainty and change.
Key Learnings:
- Embracing a mindset of continuous innovation.
- Validated learning as a cornerstone of successful startups.
- Navigating the challenges of entrepreneurial ventures.
6. Product Leadership: How Top Product Managers Launch Awesome Products and Build Successful Teams
Brief Summary:
“Product Leadership” by Martin Eriksson, Nate Walkingshaw, and Richard Banfield is a comprehensive guide to product management. The book explores how top product managers lead teams and launch successful products.
Key Features:
- Insights into effective product management.
- Strategies for building and leading successful product teams.
- Real-world examples from experienced product leaders.
Author: Martin Eriksson, Nate Walkingshaw, and Richard Banfield.Review: 4.2Price: $18
Why You Should Read:
Whether you’re a seasoned product manager or aspiring to be one, “Product Leadership” offers valuable perspectives on building and leading successful product teams.
Key Learnings:
- Effective strategies for product management.
- Building and leading high-performing product teams.
- Practical insights from experienced product leaders.
7. Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days
Brief Summary:
“Sprint” by Jake Knapp introduces the concept of design sprints—a structured framework for solving big problems and testing new ideas in a rapid, five-day process.
Key Features:
- Detailed guide to the design sprint process.
- Real-world examples of successful sprints.
- Practical tips for fostering innovation and collaboration.
Author: Jake Knapp, Author and Design Partner at Google Ventures.Review: 4.6Price: $16
Why You Should Read:
Discover a time-efficient and effective approach to problem-solving and idea testing. “Sprint” is your manual for fostering creativity and making significant progress in a short timeframe.
Key Learnings:
- Implementing design sprints for problem-solving.
- Strategies for testing and validating ideas quickly.
- Cultivating a culture of innovation within teams.
8. Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling Disruptive Products to Mainstream Customers
Brief Summary:
Geoffrey A. Moore’s “Crossing the Chasm” explores the challenges of marketing and selling disruptive products, providing insights into how to navigate the critical transition from early adopters to mainstream customers.
Key Features:
- Analysis of the technology adoption lifecycle.
- Strategies for marketing disruptive innovations.
- Case studies illustrating successful and unsuccessful transitions.
Author: Geoffrey A. Moore, Management Consultant and Author.Review: 4.1Price: $16
Why You Should Read:
Gain a deep understanding of the challenges associated with bringing innovative products to mainstream markets. “Crossing the Chasm” is a timeless guide for product managers navigating the complexities of market adoption.
Key Learnings:
- Recognizing the stages of the technology adoption lifecycle.
- Crafting effective marketing strategies for disruptive products.
- Navigating the challenges of transitioning to mainstream markets.
Brief Summary:
Katie Delahaye Paine’s “Measure What Matters” is a comprehensive guide to understanding and leveraging online tools for customer insights, social media analytics, and relationship measurement.
Key Features:
- Practical advice on measuring online metrics.
- Strategies for interpreting customer and social media data.
- Case studies showcasing the impact of measurement.
Author: Katie Delahaye Paine, Author and Measurement Expert.Review: 3.9Price: $16
Why You Should Read:
In the age of digital metrics, understanding what to measure and why it matters is crucial. “Measure What Matters” equips product managers with the tools to make informed decisions based on data.
Key Learnings:
- Choosing and interpreting relevant online metrics.
- Leveraging social media data for strategic decision-making.
- The importance of measuring key relationships for product success.
10. The Innovator’s Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail
Brief Summary:
Clayton M. Christensen’s “The Innovator’s Dilemma” explores the challenges that successful companies face when disruptive innovations threaten their established business models.
Key Features:
- Analysis of disruptive innovation and its impact.
- Case studies of companies facing the innovator’s dilemma.
- Strategies for navigating disruptive technological changes.
Author: Clayton M. Christensen, Professor and Author.Review: 4.5Price: $16
Why You Should Read:
Understand the dynamics of innovation and disruption that can affect any industry. “The Innovator’s Dilemma” offers insights into how companies can adapt and thrive in the face of technological change.
Key Learnings:
- Recognizing the challenges of disruptive innovation.
- Strategies for adapting to technological change.
- Balancing the need for innovation with existing business models.
11. Escaping the Build Trap: How Effective Product Management Creates Real Value
Brief Summary:
In “Escaping the Build Trap,” Melissa Perri discusses the importance of effective product management in creating real value for customers and avoiding the pitfalls of simply building features for the sake of it.
Key Features:
- Exploration of the “build trap” and its consequences.
- Strategies for prioritizing value over feature development.
- Case studies of companies successfully navigating product management challenges.
Author: Melissa Perri, CEO of Produx Labs and Author.Review: 4.6Price: $15
Why You Should Read:
Learn how to break free from the common trap of building features without a clear strategic focus. “Escaping the Build Trap” provides actionable insights for product managers seeking to create meaningful and valuable products.
Key Learnings:
12. Thinking, Fast and Slow
Brief Summary:
In “Thinking, Fast and Slow,” Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman explores the two systems that drive the way we think—System 1, fast and intuitive, and System 2, slow and deliberate—and their impact on decision-making.
Key Features:
- Exploration of cognitive biases and heuristics.
- Insights into the dual systems of thinking.
- Practical applications for decision-making in various contexts.
Author: Daniel Kahneman, Nobel laureate and Psychologist.Review: 4.5Price: $17
Why You Should Read:
Understand the intricacies of human decision-making and the biases that can influence it. “Thinking, Fast and Slow” offers valuable insights for product managers navigating the complexities of decision-making in their roles.
Key Learnings:
- Recognizing cognitive biases in decision-making.
- Leveraging the dual systems of thinking for effective decision-making.
- Practical applications for decision-making in product management.
13. Badass: Making Users Awesome
Brief Summary:
“Badass: Making Users Awesome” by Kathy Sierra is a guide to creating products that empower and elevate users, focusing on the concept of user awesomeness rather than just usability.
Key Features:
- Strategies for creating products that make users “badass.”
- Insights into user empowerment and engagement.
- Practical tips for designing products with a focus on user outcomes.
Author: Kathy Sierra, Author and Programming Instructor.Review: 4.5Price: $34
Why You Should Read:
Move beyond traditional notions of usability and delve into the realm of creating products that transform users into experts. “Badass” is your guide to designing products that go beyond meeting needs to fostering user excellence.
Key Learnings:
- Shifting from usability to user awesomeness.
- Strategies for empowering and engaging users.
- Practical tips for designing products with a user-centric focus.
14. Building Products for the Enterprise: Product Management in Enterprise Software
Brief Summary:
“Building Products for the Enterprise” by Blair Reeves and Benjamin Gaines is a guide to navigating the unique challenges and opportunities of product management in the enterprise software space.
Key Features:
- Insights into enterprise software product management.
- Strategies for addressing the complexities of enterprise markets.
- Real-world examples and case studies from the enterprise space.
Authors: Blair Reeves, Product Manager, and Benjamin Gaines, Senior Director of Product Management.Review: 4.4Price: $28
Why You Should Read:
For product managers operating in the realm of enterprise software, this book provides a roadmap for success. Gain a deep understanding of the unique challenges and strategies for effective product management in enterprise environments.
Key Learnings:
- Navigating the complexities of enterprise software markets.
- Strategies for addressing the unique challenges of enterprise product management.
- Real-world examples and case studies from successful enterprise product managers.
15. The Four Steps to the Epiphany
Brief Summary:
In “The Four Steps to the Epiphany,” Steve Blank lays out a systematic approach to customer development and building successful startups by understanding and validating customer needs.
Key Features:
- A framework for customer development.
- Strategies for validating customer needs.
- Practical advice for building successful startups.
Author: Steve Blank, Entrepreneur and Author.Review: 4.5Price: $39
Why You Should Read:
For entrepreneurs and product managers navigating the challenges of startups, this book provides a roadmap for understanding customer needs and building successful ventures. “The Four Steps to the Epiphany” is a foundational text for lean startup methodologies.
Key Learnings:
- The importance of customer development in startup success.
- Strategies for validating customer needs.
- Practical advice for building successful startups.
16. User Story Mapping: Discover the Whole Story, Build the Right Product
Brief Summary:
“User Story Mapping” by Jeff Patton is a practical guide to user story mapping, a technique for visualizing and prioritizing user stories to build products that meet customer needs effectively.
Key Features:
- Introduction to user story mapping techniques.
- Practical advice for visualizing and prioritizing user stories.
- Case studies illustrating successful applications of user story mapping.
Author: Jeff Patton, Author and Agile Practitioner.Review: 4.6Price: $16
Why You Should Read:
For product managers and teams practicing agile methodologies, “User Story Mapping” is an indispensable guide to effectively plan and prioritize product development. Learn how to discover the whole user story and build products that align with customer needs.
Key Learnings:
- Techniques for user story mapping.
- Practical advice for visualizing and prioritizing user stories.
- Case studies illustrating successful applications of user story mapping.
17. Product Roadmaps Relaunched: How to Set Direction while Embracing Uncertainty
Brief Summary:
“Product Roadmaps Relaunched” offers a fresh perspective on product roadmapping, emphasizing adaptability and collaboration in an ever-changing business landscape.
Key Features:
- Strategies for creating flexible and effective product roadmaps.
- Insights into setting direction while embracing uncertainty.
- Real-world examples and case studies.
Authors: C. Todd Lombardo, Bruce McCarthy, Evan Ryan, and Michael Connors.Review: 4.5Price: $23
Why You Should Read:
For product managers seeking to navigate uncertainty and communicate effectively with stakeholders, this book provides practical guidance on creating roadmaps that adapt to change.
Key Learnings:
- Strategies for creating flexible product roadmaps.
- Techniques for setting direction in uncertain environments.
- Real-world examples of successful roadmap implementation.
18. The Design of Everyday Things
Brief Summary:
In “The Design of Everyday Things,” Don Norman explores the principles of user-centered design and the impact of design on everyday experiences.
Key Features:
- Insights into user-centered design principles.
- Case studies on the impact of design on user experience.
- Practical advice for creating intuitive and user-friendly products.
Author: Don Norman, Design Thinker and Author.Review: 4.5Price: $15
Why You Should Read:
For product managers and designers, this book provides a foundational understanding of the principles that shape user experiences. Learn how thoughtful design can enhance the usability and appeal of your products.
Key Learnings:
- Principles of user-centered design.
- The impact of design on everyday experiences.
- Practical advice for creating user-friendly products.
19. Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future
Brief Summary:
In “Zero to One,” Peter Thiel and Blake Masters discuss the principles of innovation and building transformative startups that create entirely new markets.
Key Features:
- Insights into innovation and building the future.
- Strategies for creating and capturing value.
- Case studies of successful startups.
Authors: Peter Thiel, Entrepreneur, and Blake Masters.Review: 4.5Price: $21
Why You Should Read:
For entrepreneurs and product managers with ambitions to build groundbreaking ventures, “Zero to One” offers unconventional wisdom on innovation, competition, and creating value in the business world.
Key Learnings:
- Principles of innovation and building the future.
- Strategies for creating and capturing value.
- Case studies of successful startups.
20. Competing Against Luck: The Story of Innovation and Customer Choice
Brief Summary:
Clayton M. Christensen’s “Competing Against Luck” explores the concept of Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) theory, offering a framework for understanding customer needs and preferences.
Key Features:
- Introduction to Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) theory.
- Strategies for innovation and customer choice.
- Real-world examples of applying JTBD theory.
Author: Clayton M. Christensen, Professor and Author.Review: 4.5Price: $16
Why You Should Read:
For product managers aiming to innovate with a deep understanding of customer needs, “Competing Against Luck” provides a powerful framework for aligning products with what customers truly value.
Key Learnings:
- Understanding Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) theory.
- Strategies for innovation based on customer needs.
- Real-world applications of JTBD theory.
Brief Summary:
“Crucial Conversations” equips readers with tools and strategies for navigating high-stakes conversations effectively, a crucial skill for product managers collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
Key Features:
- Tools for effective communication in high-stakes situations.
- Strategies for navigating difficult conversations.
- Real-world examples and case studies.
Authors: Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler.Review: 4.5Price: $18
Why You Should Read:
In the field of product management, effective communication is important. “Crucial Conversations” provides actionable tools for navigating challenging discussions and fostering collaboration.
Key Learnings:
- Tools for effective communication in high-stakes situations.
- Strategies for navigating difficult conversations.
- Real-world examples of successful communication in challenging situations.
FAQs On Product Management Books:
Product management is the organizational function of a company that helps in handling the lifecycle of the product. It is a complete process that involves the development of new products along with production, planning, pricing, marketing, and the launch of the final product.
2. What should I study for product management?
A bachelor’s degree in economics, computer science, or business is available for enrollment. Public relations, marketing, statistics, and management are related fields. Certain employers favour specialised degrees based on the kinds of goods they produce.
3. What are the 3 major areas of product management?
Product Strategy, Go-to-Market and Product Lifecycle Management, Product Development and Execution are the three major areas of product management.
4. Name some book names of Product Management for Beginners:
- “Inspired: How To Create Products Customers Love” by Marty Cagan
- “Lean Product and Lean Analytics” by Ben Yoskovitz and Alistair Croll
- “Cracking the PM Interview: How to Land a Product Manager Job in Technology” by Gayle Laakmann McDowell and Jackie Bavaro
- “Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products” by Nir Eyal
- “Product Management for Dummies” by Brian Lawley and Pamela Schure
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