Should a Product Manager or a Product Designer Lead a Product Design Sprint?

Running a product design sprint is a critical step in developing a successful product. It can be effectively managed by either a product manager or a product designer, depending on the specific context and goals of the sprint. This article explores the strengths of each role and when to choose one over the other.

Strengths of a Product Manager

Vendor and Strategy

Product managers typically have a strong understanding of market user needs and business goals. Their vision and strategic alignment can help ensure that the sprint aligns with the broader objectives of the product. This expertise is crucial for setting the right direction and scope for the sprint.

Cross-Functional Leadership

Product managers are skilled at facilitating collaboration among diverse teams. This ensures that all stakeholders are engaged and that the sprint is a collective effort. Their ability to lead cross-functional teams can help streamline the design process and foster a more cohesive team environment.

Decision-Making

Product managers often have the authority to make critical decisions that can steer the project in the right direction. This is particularly important when dealing with complex product features or when multiple teams are involved. Their decision-making skills can help resolve conflicts and ensure that the sprint stays on track.

Strengths of a Product Designer

User-Centric Focus

Product designers bring a deep understanding of user experience and design principles. Their focus on user needs can enhance the quality of the design outcomes, ensuring that the product meets the end-users' expectations. This attention to user-centricity is crucial for creating a successful product.

Prototyping Skills

Product designers are often adept at quickly creating prototypes and iterating on design ideas. This is a key component of design sprints, where rapid prototyping and testing are essential. Their quick turnaround on prototypes can help the team move forward more efficiently and make informed decisions.

Creativity and Experimentation

Designers often foster a more open environment for creative thinking and experimentation. This can lead to more innovative and out-of-the-box solutions. Their experiential approach can help the team explore new ideas and approaches, leading to more robust and creative designs.

When to Choose a Product Manager or a Product Designer

Choose a Product Manager:

If the sprint is focused on aligning product strategy with user needs or if it involves significant stakeholder input, a product manager might be the best choice to lead. Their strategic vision and decision-making skills are particularly useful in these scenarios.

Choose a Product Designer:

If the primary goal of the sprint is to explore design solutions, validate concepts, or enhance user experience, a product designer may be better suited to lead. Their user-centric focus and prototyping skills can help the team create better design outcomes.

Conclusion

In many cases, a collaborative approach where both the product manager and product designer co-lead the sprint can be most effective. This allows for a balance between strategic direction and design innovation. Ultimately, the decision should be based on the specific goals of the sprint, the expertise of the individuals involved, and the dynamics of the team.

Additional Insights

Typically, this role is handled by an engineer PM, a product manager, or a scrum master if you're doing Agile or a more opinionated process. It's beneficial to have someone with technical know-how, as this can help when the person isn't on the product team. Engineers tend to speak more freely and honestly when there isn't a stakeholder in the room.

As a product designer, I have run sprints before with heavy involvement during grooming and planning. However, I made sure to let the engineering team have their own standups to work through technical problems without me. This was something they asked for, and it seemed to work well. The key is to strike a balance between managing the sprint and allowing the team to work effectively.

Key Takeaways

Product managers bring strategic alignment and cross-functional leadership to the sprint. Product designers focus on user experience, prototyping, and creativity. Collaborative leadership can lead to a balanced approach between strategy and design. Consider the specific goals and team dynamics when deciding who should lead the sprint.

By carefully considering the strengths of the product manager and product designer, you can choose the best person or team to lead your product design sprint, ensuring that the project meets its objectives and succeeds in the marketplace.