Learn lean product management with online courses
Lean product management helps organizations cut down on excess work and expedite the product development process. Learn how to efficiently manage the product lifecycle with online courses delivered through edX.
What is lean product management?
Organizations use lean product management to cut down on the resources required to complete the product development process. It is a way to reduce the amount of waste associated with the creation, design, and implementation of products and strategies.
The term “lean” is used across industries as a way to describe strategies that maximize customer value while reducing input. It’s based on the concept of lean thinking, or less is more. Lean thinking operates on five principles:1
1. Identify value as specified by the customer.
2. Map the value stream and eliminate any wasted steps.
3. Create flow throughout the process.
4. Establish pull to prompt subsequent steps within the process.
5. Seek perfection through continuous improvement.
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Lean product management course curriculum
Learning product management fundamentals can provide a solid foundation for individuals who do not have industry experience. For learners interested in taking coursework on product management, curricula may dive deep into a broad range of topics, such as:
Customer and product discovery
Customer-centric innovation
Product delivery
Product management at scale
Product management roles and responsibilities
Management of product teams
Customer development strategies
Application of digital technologies to lean product management
If you are interested in studying product management or other related topics, consider enrolling in online educational coursework delivered through edX. Specialized boot camps can offer an accelerated way to build new skills. You can also enroll in full online degree programs to earn a bachelor’s degree or, for more experienced learners, a master’s degree. Explore the different options available.
Explore lean product management jobs
Any industry that manufactures products relies on product managers to ensure that the process runs smoothly. Learning to apply a lean management strategy can make you an attractive candidate when applying for product management jobs.
Regardless of the particular field, product management responsibilities generally revolve around monitoring the entire product development lifecycle. These include:2
Having a long-term vision for the product
Observing trends in the marketplace
Identifying potential outcomes to be supported by the product
Ensuring the product meets the needs of the value streams it supports
Similar to product managers, product owners are heavily involved in product development. These individuals work closely with individual teams and contributors to ensure the product moves smoothly through the process. Becoming a product owner can be a stepping stone toward becoming a product manager.3
Other types of product management include agile, Scrum, Waterfall, and Kanban. Each of these includes its own approaches and principles that inform the development process. Product managers who want to expand their professional opportunities may want to explore courses and certifications in these topics.
How to become a lean product manager online
If you are interested in developing your product management skills, consider how online education can help. Product management boot camps delivered through edX can provide hands-on learning opportunities in which you will receive instruction on topics such as customer segmentation, workflow management, and product roadmapping. These boot camps are designed to improve both your technical and leadership skills, so that you can effectively guide teams as they transform a concept into a fully realized product.
If a boot camp doesn't meet your needs, you may also develop relevant skills through degree programs in which you can potentially earn a master’s degree or bachelor's degree in business or other related topics. Before deciding on a specific learning pathway, research the roles that you are interested in pursuing and align your coursework with your professional aspirations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A Brief History of Lean. (2023). Lean Enterprise Institute. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
Product Management Roles and Responsibilities. (2023). Project Management Institute. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
What is the Product Owner Career Path?. (2023). Product HQ. Retrieved March 27, 2023.