Why is real Product Management so different than in theory?

It’s so true that Product Management theory and best practices are mostly used in job interviews. Sad, but true I’m afraid — but it’s not due to a lack of your knowledge or PM skills, Here are 8 reasons real-life product management is so different from theory:

Before the promised 8 reasons, let me note that there is nothing wrong with this discourse. Knowing about it shouldn’t prevent you from pursuing further Product education. Though it won’t always be 100% applicable, I assure you it will help you get out of more than 1 jam and will allow you to really impress your peers!

Having said that here’s why theory is so different than reality:

1) Lack of focus

Theory always describes building a product/increment as if you are working on a single piece of it. That would make a relaxing and slow job! Instead, you are actually working at 5, 10, 15 maybe more different development initiatives at the same time. That is bound to force you into some shortcuts!

2) Lack of resources

Whether that is time, number of developers, designers, or your very own brain power, it is not possible to attend to everything all the stakeholders need. You may know how to deal with that in theory, but that never takes into account the stress, emotions, and pressure put on you.

3) Dealing with real people

No theory will prepare you for dealing with your seniors and peers. Sometimes you will do something out of the box, sometimes you will have to “bend the knee” to successfully perform:

4) Maneuvering the politics

No Product Theory prepares how to deal with the stupidest things you will have to do to fit the politics and please the shareholders. I’ve been on the receiving end of this stick more often than I would have ever expected.

5) Everything is stretched out in time

It’s easy to follow specific steps when it’s a tight diagram on paper. When you need to take real meetings with people who have their calendars blocked for weeks on end, everything starts getting much more difficult and you need to get creative to get things done!