Are there any productivity hacks or tools that help you stay organized and on top of everything going on as a product manager?
1 Answer
Kalvin Brite
Contentful VP, Product Management | Formerly Twilio, SendGrid • January 4
Time management is essential as a PM, and the tools I use have changed over the years as I find what works. Here are some tips:
- Use a project management tool: A project management tool, such as Asana or Trello, can help you keep track of tasks and progress you have for yourself. I always found it hard to follow up on tasks I delegated to others until I had a specific column in my Trello board dedicated to them.
- Make use of templates: Use templates, such as meeting agendas or project planning documents, to save time and ensure that you consistently follow best practices. I have created many templates for PMs in my team to follow for interview guides, opportunity canvases, and decision documents. This lets us quickly get to the point of the document instead of needing to wade through the many variations in layout or formatting that can be distracting.
- Use a note-taking tool: It can help you capture ideas and essential information and keep it organized. At the end of the day, I usually wonder where I put that note on a customer quote or OKR. If it's all in one place, it's easier to find!
- Prioritize tasks: Use a prioritization method, such as the Eisenhower Matrix, to help you prioritize and focus on the most important things.
- Take breaks: We all know we should do it but usually don't. Take breaks to rest and recharge, and try to avoid multitasking.
- Use time blocking: Use time blocking to schedule dedicated blocks for specific tasks or projects, and try to minimize distractions during those blocks. This is invaluable, especially as a people leader with many 1:1s and meetings.
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