Communication Is at the Core of Product Management with Andrej Dzidic

Podcast Introduction and Guest Background: The podcast features hosts Vivek and Pavitra from the Agile Coach Podcast interviewing Andrej Dzidic, the Director of Product Management at MasterCard. Andrej has a professional background as a senior product owner and product manager, with experience in various clients and startups. Role at MasterCard: Andrej oversees product management for employee digital experience at MasterCard, focusing on SAS and employee-facing internal tools. He joined MasterCard to shape product management practices, implementing industry best practices and strategies across the organization. Weekly Activities and Metrics: Andrej discusses the dynamic nature of his week-to-week activities, involving planning, roadmaps, and execution in the product management realm. Metrics focused on include predictability (alignment with business stakeholders), commitments met (meeting deadlines), and product-specific metrics such as customer satisfaction. Product Strategy Process: The product strategy process varies among teams, but at MasterCard, integration with engineering leadership is crucial. Alignment with engineering helps in determining priorities based on effort and capacity, ensuring synchronization between business and technology goals. Qualities Appreciated in Product Managers: Andrej values product managers who not only understand the technical aspects but also comprehend the business impact of their work. Unlike project managers, product managers delve into the "why" behind the tasks, understanding the problem they are solving and the benefits for the business.