As the Co-Founder of AIPMM The Association of International Product Marketing and Management, I have worked with teams of product managers worldwide for over 20 years, particularly in non-tech industries. A recurring theme keeps coming up: the tech industry’s grip on product management is stifling innovation in sectors beyond software. Ironically, product management didn’t even begin in tech — it started with the “Brand Man” role at Procter & Gamble, a consumer goods company. The origins were centered on market analysis, long-term strategy, and customer insights, not agile development or quick iterations.
Today, the tech industry’s influence has shifted the focus to software development. While agile methods, rapid iterations, and MVP models work well for tech, they don’t always apply to industries like manufacturing, consumer goods, or healthcare, where long-term planning and market analysis are essential.
Here’s why the tech-centric approach is limiting innovation in non-tech industries:
🚫 Overemphasis on Speed and MVP: The “fail fast” mentality may be ideal for digital platforms, but in industries like pharmaceuticals, aerospace, and automotive, where safety and reliability are paramount, this rush to market can result in suboptimal products. Long cycles of testing and refinement are necessary to meet high standards, and the tech industry’s push for fast delivery can be more of a liability than an advantage.
🔍 Narrow Focus on Product Lifecycle: Physical products don’t benefit from the quick, iterative updates that software can. The lifecycle of a physical product is far more complex, involving design, manufacturing, testing, and long-term support. Tech-driven product management approaches often overlook supply chain intricacies, material sourcing, and regulatory compliance — all of which are critical in non-tech industries.
📊 Tech-Centric Metrics Don’t Always Apply: In tech, success is often judged by user engagement, retention, or app downloads. But in industries like manufacturing or consumer goods, success is measured by customer satisfaction, cost efficiency, and sustainability. Focusing solely on digital KPIs can distract from long-term success, especially when performance is evaluated over years, not weeks.
To truly drive innovation in non-tech sectors, we need to reclaim product management from its tech-dominated lens and refocus on the strategic elements that define long-term success.
Ready to rethink how product management drives innovation in your industry? 🌟 Whether you’re in manufacturing, healthcare, consumer goods, or any non-tech sector, it’s time to break free from the tech-driven mold and embrace strategies that align with your unique challenges. Let’s connect and share insights!
As the Co-Founder of AIPMM The Association of International Product Marketing and Management, I have worked with teams of product managers worldwide for over 20 years, particularly in non-tech industries. A recurring theme keeps coming up: the tech industry’s grip on product management is stifling innovation in sectors beyond software. Ironically, product management didn’t even begin in tech — it started with the “Brand Man” role at Procter & Gamble, a consumer goods company. The origins were centered on market analysis, long-term strategy, and customer insights, not agile development or quick iterations.
Today, the tech industry’s influence has shifted the focus to software development. While agile methods, rapid iterations, and MVP models work well for tech, they don’t always apply to industries like manufacturing, consumer goods, or healthcare, where long-term planning and market analysis are essential.
Here’s why the tech-centric approach is limiting innovation in non-tech industries:
🚫 Overemphasis on Speed and MVP: The “fail fast” mentality may be ideal for digital platforms, but in industries like pharmaceuticals, aerospace, and automotive, where safety and reliability are paramount, this rush to market can result in suboptimal products. Long cycles of testing and refinement are necessary to meet high standards, and the tech industry’s push for fast delivery can be more of a liability than an advantage.
🔍 Narrow Focus on Product Lifecycle: Physical products don’t benefit from the quick, iterative updates that software can. The lifecycle of a physical product is far more complex, involving design, manufacturing, testing, and long-term support. Tech-driven product management approaches often overlook supply chain intricacies, material sourcing, and regulatory compliance — all of which are critical in non-tech industries.
📊 Tech-Centric Metrics Don’t Always Apply: In tech, success is often judged by user engagement, retention, or app downloads. But in industries like manufacturing or consumer goods, success is measured by customer satisfaction, cost efficiency, and sustainability. Focusing solely on digital KPIs can distract from long-term success, especially when performance is evaluated over years, not weeks.
To truly drive innovation in non-tech sectors, we need to reclaim product management from its tech-dominated lens and refocus on the strategic elements that define long-term success.
Ready to rethink how product management drives innovation in your industry? 🌟 Whether you’re in manufacturing, healthcare, consumer goods, or any non-tech sector, it’s time to break free from the tech-driven mold and embrace strategies that align with your unique challenges. Let’s connect and share insights!