Anne Steiner

“The constraint is there to make you better.” Great quote from Lance Dacy MSc, CST on Agile Mentors Podcast episode 100 (https://lnkd.in/g6YJqU2C). It elegantly captures the idea I’ve been trying to express in a meandering, half-baked blog post I haven’t had time to finish. It’s hard for a team to turn ideas into working, ready-to-release software in 2 weeks, but the difficulty is a feature not a bug. When looking at process improvements, avoid things that work around the constraints. For example, a common solution to allow teams to finish sprints is to set “dev complete” date a few days before the end of the sprint. This works, but it’s a crutch that hides problems the team should be solving. Stuff like not enough collaboration and communication between dev and QA and lack of automated testing. So don’t work around the constraints put in place by agile and scrum - they are there to make you better.

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...watched the Boeing Senate hearing yesterday, which produced lots of strong feelings on organizational culture (and the challenges "classic" GE-trained execs face understanding how to create a healthy culture, not a new problem) - but what especially stood out were specific comments around claims of *newly-created* functions (post MAX incidents) of Human Factors and SMS. (...note that this was under oath) ...Verbatim ..."including a new one referred to as Human Factors". I find it virtually impossible to believe Boeing didn't have Human Factors & SMS programs until recently... for aerospace programs these functions are "like water", it's simply inconceivable that these did not exist for *at least* the last 25 years. As one example - as the executive in charge you are required to review & sign the SMS in regular intervals... FAA compliance is not a small matter. Either this was a lie, or leadership really is disconnected from the way serious aerospace engineering is done. In any case, the Boeing workforce across manufacturing, engineering & field et-al deserves better leadership - one with the depth, vision, willingness to go hands-on and design-assurance perspective to fix this incredible company.

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Do we do a good enough job of communicating clearly with our colleagues about what we know, what we don't know, and what are hypotheses? Getting better at delineating between these three items is critically important to making better decisions as a team and organization. Don't believe me? Check out my latest blog article at https://lnkd.in/em_VjTd5 to find some wisdom from former US Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell. I also suggest how opportunity solution trees offer a great visualization of these three different types of information. Once you've considered my thoughts, let me know what you think. #product #decisionmaking #information #facts #unknowns #opinions

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Ethics and product management - perhaps one of the tougher questions we face today. Christian Idiodi and I discuss the issues in the latest podcast…

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Join me today for a discussion with Product Rebels. We'll be talking about what happens when Product and IT aren't collaborating effectively and the importance of decision agility. I'll be sharing a few examples, both good and bad, and sharing some practical ways to make improvements.

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Part 2 in the Built To Scale series is up! A dive into the world of Value Stream Mapping in manufacturing to set the stage for scaling knowledge work.

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📌 Top Goal-Setting Tip from Michael Ionita 📌 Feeling stuck with prioritizing your backlog or unclear on why you're building certain features? In this episode, AutoTrading. vip's Michael Ionita shares how focusing on lighthouse metrics and ambitious goals can inspire your team to deliver impactful solutions. 🚀 Catch this tip and more on "How I PM"! And don’t miss our other episodes packed with insights from leading PMs on strategy, leadership, and more. Watch now: https://lnkd.in/eN2K9ahm 👉 Join the conversation, and let me know what other tips we should cover! #ProductManagement #Leadership #TechIndustry #SuccessStory

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I see a lot of product companies struggle with the concept of an SBOM when they see an SBOM for their project for the first time. I typically walk them through a 4 step process, more information in our TalkSecure blog post here: https://lnkd.in/gkuZsmSv

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As a product leader, team structure is always a hot topic. The topology of our teams can significantly impact our success and efficiency. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with and reorganize teams into various models: General Management (GM), functional, and hybrid. This article from Lenny's Newsletter provides a thorough explanation of when to use these different models under varying business conditions in a more robust way than I have seen previously written about. Additionally, Marty Cagan's response adds another layer to the discussion, emphasizing the importance of strong product teams and culture. While any model can work, each optimizes for different outcomes. Understanding these nuances is crucial for anyone involved in product leadership. https://lnkd.in/eEwSHvy7 https://lnkd.in/eGhgQfVn #ProductManagement #TeamStructure #Leadership #OrgDesign #ProductTeams #ManagementModels

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Now's the time to get signed up. On May 30, David Laribee and I will be delivering a talk "From Developer Experience to Product Experience: How a Shared Focus Fuels Product Success" as part of Product Management Today's webinar series. Nerd/Noir As Dave and I have been creating this talk, we've laughed; we've cried. We've argued, and we've dreamed. It's been really fun. Word on the street is the registration process is difficult, but I promise the preso will be worth it. Plus, you can take a side which ideally will be my side. Just kidding. https://lnkd.in/gza-3Ks4 #product #productex #devex

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Streamline the product selection process from initial research to final specification! In this webinar, you'll learn five best practices for optimal product selection—including ways to harness AI and automation. https://gag.gl/aJcy5E

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Understand why CAD release isn’t the end of the product life cycle and how to manage it effectively with OpenBOM. 🔄📐 #ProductLifecycle #OpenBOM https://bit.ly/45Jjb7M

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Once again #ProductTO delivered many great conversations. Nick Boccone facilitate an engaging and spirited group discussion of outputs and outcomes. On the surface it is a simple concept...identify the change you want to see (the outcome) and then do the work (the output) to realize it. As we delved into this as a group the challenges and complexities emerged, including: - Outputs and outcomes are usually separated in time from each other; possibly by months or quarters - The direct output you are working on is likely necessary to generate the outcome but not sufficient by itself. You will need to think about what else needs to be done and who else you need to involve (and convince, motivate, and cajole) - As product managers we need to keep our eyes on both the outputs and the outcomes - How do you make sure that the outcomes you achieve are "good" outcomes? Once again, thanks to May Wong for you efforts in running ProductTO!

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Is there a correlation between product operating model maturity and performance? Discover the baseline data we'll reference and the other top 4 questions driving the 2024 Project to Product State of the Industry report.

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https://lnkd.in/gzxAy5mp We are hosting our final webinar of the year Wednesday, November 20th at 2:00 pm EST. We will be demonstrating our Propel to Agile PLM integration and discussing details around a gradual transition from Agile PLM to Propel. This webinar takes a deeper dive into how you can transition off of Agile PLM without experiencing the typical trauma associated with data migration and learning a new application. This approach mitigates risk and allows for process improvement while you shift off of Agile PLM. Register and learn more about the best way to upgrade your PLM capabilities. #propelsoftware

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Implementing a high functioning product organization is a lot like putting in a new piece of factory equipment. Without it, your organization will likely churn out the same things it has previously.  When in place, you can 10X your productivity!  Unfortunately, it’s the hardest thing for product leaders. ▶ Like any new piece of equipment, teams need to understand how it works, what it doesn't do, and what they should expect from it.  Spread the word and ensure everyone understands the goal.  Communicate clearly, remove unnecessary steps, and share your plan. Build trust. ▶ As parts of your new machine come online, celebrate those wins and show how they fit in the larger plan.  When your Customer Advisory Board has its first meeting, celebrate it!  When you shelve an idea because it doesn't have a strong business case, remind everyone.  Even small things, like people sharing feedback with the right product manager, demonstrate that the machine is getting connected. ▶ Lastly, to truly make the transition, you'll have to slow down to speed up.  You can control this, but the rate you slow down is inversely proportional to how long it will take to get the machine fully online.  Read the room and keep your hand on the dial. If the org is excited, speed it up, if it needs that near-term juice, you may have to dial it back.  This is the role you play.  Good luck! (Thanks to Gemini for my picture of a product org as a piece of factory equipment! 😆 )

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**Product Management Tip of the Week** This week's tip is dedicated to keke flanagan, who was my mentor, biggest supporter, friend, and sister. Her influence and guidance have been invaluable. **Build Deep, Meaningful Connections** In product management, relationships are key. Just as KeKe left a lasting impact on everyone she met, strive to cultivate deep, genuine connections with your team, users, and stakeholders. Understand their needs, empathize with their challenges, and celebrate their successes. These connections will not only help you build better products but also create a supportive network that stands the test of time. Cherish those around you and let KeKe’s legacy of compassion and insight guide your journey. Remember, every interaction is an opportunity to learn and grow, honoring the memory of those we've lost. I invite you to share your fondest memories of KeKe in the comments. Let’s celebrate the wonderful person she was and the impact she made on all of us. #ProductManagement #Leadership #Teamwork #Empathy #Legacy #Growth #KeKeFlanagan

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With changing regulations regarding accessibility and a continued interest in human centered design, this article highlights the need for both. The guidance calls for a methodical, low risk approach as the organization matures in these practices. Great advice for all! https://lnkd.in/eFeD2ePw

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