Sheila Hara

AMA: Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management, Sheila Hara on Product Strategy

April 30 @ 10:00AM PST
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Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management, Sheila Hara on Product Strategy
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Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product ManagementMay 1
Barracuda has a structured approach that blends continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) with Agile methodologies, using specific release timelines. This setup can offer several advantages, especially in managing complex software development and deployment processes effectively. Here’s a break......Read More
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Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product ManagementMay 1
Here’s how we approach this balance at Barracuda, taking inspiration from Cagan’s principles: 1. Deep Customer Understanding: We prioritize deep customer insights through continuous interaction and feedback. Understanding customer needs and pain points helps us identify features that wi......Read More
398 Views
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Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product ManagementMay 1
I emphasize the importance of continuous validation in your product strategy, a key principle championed by Marty Cagan. He teaches us that the essence of product management lies in the discovery process. So, let's break down how you can ensure your product strategy is on the right track: 1. En......Read More
386 Views
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Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product ManagementMay 1
Market trends play a crucial role in shaping product strategy. They provide essential insights into shifting consumer preferences, emerging technologies, and competitive dynamics. Here’s how understanding market trends can significantly influence the strategic decisions we make at Barracuda: 1.......Read More
386 Views
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Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product ManagementMay 1
Building internal confidence in a product strategy is crucial for securing the support and alignment of various stakeholders within the company. Here’s how we approach reporting on our product strategy at Barracuda to build and maintain this confidence: WHAT TO REPORT 1. Key Performance Indic......Read More
370 Views
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Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product ManagementMay 1
Ideas for new features can come from a multitude of sources, and deciding which ones to build involves a thoughtful process of evaluation and prioritization. Here’s how we approach this at Barracuda: SOURCES OF FEATURE IDEAS 1. Customer Feedback: Direct input from users is invaluable. This ca......Read More
362 Views
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Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product ManagementMay 1
Here are some key strategies to consider when thinking about defense in relation to your product strategy: 1. INNOVATION AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT * Stay Ahead with Innovation: Continuously innovate and improve your products. This could mean enhancing existing features, introducing cuttin......Read More
395 Views
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Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product ManagementMay 1
Developing your product strategy skills involves a combination of education, hands-on experience, and continuous learning. 1. FORMAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING * Courses and Workshops: Enroll in courses related to product management, business strategy, and market analysis. Many universities an......Read More
382 Views
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Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product ManagementMay 1
In industries where the pace of change is rapid and often unpredictable, building an effective product strategy requires agility, foresight, and a strong understanding of the underlying technologies and market dynamics. 1. EMBRACE FLEXIBILITY AND AGILITY * Adaptive Roadmaps: Develop roadmaps ......Read More
392 Views
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Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product ManagementMay 1
Understanding the customer's ideal outcome and the "Jobs to Be Done" (JTBD) framework is crucial for product managers because it directly influences the effectiveness and success of the products they develop. Amongst various other things, here are my top reasons on why we do this as PMs * Custo......Read More
353 Views
1 request
Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product ManagementMay 1
If your company doesn't currently have a formal product strategy, developing one is a crucial step towards ensuring that your product development efforts are aligned with your business goals. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a product strategy: 1. DEFINE YOUR VISION AND GOALS * Vision:......Read More
491 Views
1 request