“The next crop of Product Managers can no longer rely on principles of the past. They need a fresh set of guidelines to build a career in this era, to internalise what empowerment means in modern orgs, and the inevitable impact of AI. Bart, Teresa, and Diana have done the product community a big service with Next-Gen Product Management by shedding much-needed clarity on these areas. Highly recommended for someone starting out but also for folks who have been losing their spirit and belief in the discipline. The PM role isn’t dead. It’s evolving and this book shows why.”
— Aatir Abdul Rauf, VP of Marketing at vFairs and Author of the newsletter Behind Product Lines
The role of product management has changed-for the better. Learn how to future proof your career today!
“Next-Gen Product Management provides helpful perspectives on the discipline of product management, ranging from its origins, past emphasis, and current focus. It covers how to prepare for a product management role and get your first job in product as well as how to move up in responsibilities and compensation, including senior leadership. I especially found the “five behaviors to practice as a product manager” valuable for long-term success. Each of the three authors provides their perspectives on what successful product managers do, providing a breadth of knowledge. Also, a product management book would not be complete today without including how AI tools are used by product management, which is also addressed. This is a practical book of proven practices based on the authors’ experiences and what they have seen others put into action.”
— Chad McAllister, PhD, Product Management Professor, Practitioner, and Host of the Product Mastery Now Podcast
PRAISE FOR NEXT-GEN PRODUCT MANAGEMENT
“Next-Gen Product Management is an essential resource for anyone building a product management career. The authors discuss the history of the role, how it’s changed, and provide a vision for where it’s going in the future - including the impact AI will have on how PMs do their work and what products they build. Everyone, from first-time PM to VP of Product, will find valuable insights to accelerate their career.”
— Ravi Mehta, co-founder of Outpace, ex-(Tinder, Facebook, TripAdvisor, Microsoft)
“This book hits different. It’s like upgrading from a used car to a rocket ship in your PM career. The authors break down old-school product management approaches and show how today’s top leaders are actually getting things done. Spoiler: it’s not about playing the “mini-CEO” anymore. From shaping roadmaps to using AI tools like ChatGPT, it’s packed with practical, modern strategies you can apply right away. What I loved most? Their personal reflections. It feels like sitting down for coffee with someone who’s been in the trenches and knows what works. No fluff, no boring business jargon. It’s simply real, actionable insights. If you’re serious about stepping up from PM to true product leader, this book is the shortcut you need.”
— Moe Ali, CEO of Product Faculty
“A must-have reference for Product Managers at all stages from aspiring, to entry-level to rising leader. The role of the Product Manager is broader than ever before. Next-Gen Product Management brings much-needed clarity to the fundamentals, drawing on decades of real-world experience and a deep understanding of the trade.”
— Guarav Vohra, Startup Advisor, Superhuman founding team
“The craft of product management has evolved drastically over the past few decades; each new wave of emerging technology, from the ubiquity of internet access to the accessibility of cloud computing to the proliferation of mobile devices, has forced the evolution of operating models for PMs across domains and levels. In Next-Gen Product Management, the authors have done an admirable job of outlining the major milestones in the rich catalog of product development frameworks, not only highlighting what makes certain practices timeless, but also illuminating how the next generation of product leaders can future-proof their careers.”
— Ibrahim Bashir, Product Executive ex-(Amazon, Twitter, Box Amplitude) and Author of the newsletter Run the Business
“Next-Gen Product Management provides valuable insights into the evolution of product management, offering foundational skills for early-career professionals and fresh perspectives on generational diversity, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement for seasoned leaders. I found its focus on generational dynamics insightful. It’s a powerful reminder that building great products requires not only understanding but also fostering diverse, high-performing, and creative teams. As leaders, it’s essential to create environments where collaboration thrives, allowing us to embrace unique perspectives and evolve our ways of working to deliver the next generation of products.”
— Carmen Palmer, CEO of Women in Product
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Teresa Cain is a bestselling author, speaker, entrepreneur and technology executive who has led global product and user experience teams for more than 17 years.
Bart Jaworski, Ph.D is a senior product manager with more than a decade of experience under his belt as a product management mentor, content creator, influencer, and academic.
Diana Stepner is a seasoned product leader, coach, mentor, and technology executive with more than 20 years of experience in product management, innovation, and user experience.