Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
3 hours100% online
How it works
Introduction to Product Management
Learn about what product managers do and the techniques they use
This course covers the main product management concepts and techniques that product managers use in their day-to-day activities.
The skills and techniques discussed in the course are based on the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework, which sets out what product managers need to do at each stage of their career development.
Increase your knowledge of product management and identify user needs
You’ll increase your knowledge of product management and by the end of the course, you’ll demonstrate a basic understanding of its fundamental concepts.
You’ll also interpret information to support your decision-making and prioritisation in your product management career.
Apply product management techniques to your day job
You’ll then apply product management techniques to your day job and formulate product visions and roadmaps to improve your career within the sector.
You’ll also contribute to the product management community by sharing your experience and insights.
Learn from product management experts working in government
Throughout this course, you’ll be under the guidance of experienced product managers working at the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO - Cabinet Office) and in other departments of the UK government.
The course is based on the government manual and the Central Digital and Data Office’s Capability Framework which sets out the skills needed for digital roles in government.
Syllabus
Week 1
Products and Product Management
Introduction to the course
Welcome to the course! Find out what you will learn over the next 3 weeks.
What is product management?
Listen to product managers talk about what their jobs involve and the skills they need, and get an overview of the main techniques they use in their work.
Product vision and strategy
Learn about the difference between a product vision and strategy, listen to product managers talk about what makes a good vision, and create your own product vision board.
Summary of the week
A review of what we learned this week, a look forward to Week 2, and an end-of-week review test to check your learning so far.
Week 2
Users
Introduction to Week 2
Find out what we will be covering in Week 2.
Who are your users?
Let's learn about users.
User needs and user research
Read about user needs, how to turn them into user stories, and why user research is an important aspect of building a product.
Summary of the week
A review of what we learned this week, a look forward to Week 3, and an end-of-week review test to check your learning so far.
Week 3
Planning and Prioritisation
Introduction to Week 3
Find out what we will be covering in Week 3.
The minimum viable product (MVP)
Learn about the 'minimum viable product' and why it's important for the product management cycle.
Product roadmaps
Listen to product managers discuss product roadmaps and learn to create your own.
Prioritising your work
Learn about some prioritisation techniques product managers use to decide what their teams should work on first.
Summary of the week
A review of what we learned this week and throughout the course, your final end-of-week review test, and information about certification and accreditation.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of product management
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the role of a product manager within multidisciplinary service teams
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of techniques for decision making and prioritisation
- Apply transferable product management techniques to your own role
- Contribute to the product management community by sharing your experience and insights
Who is the course for?
This course is suitable for anyone interested in product management but has not had a chance to explore it further.
It’s a beginner-level course, so it’s not suitable for anyone who has completed the GDS Academy working-level course for product managers, or for existing product managers.
What software or tools do you need?
To take part in this course, you’ll need to be able to access video and audio content (or you can use transcripts).
Who will you learn with?
Senior Learning Designer in the Central Digital and Data Office.
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
---|---|---|---|
Choose the best way to learn for you! | $54/one-off payment | $244.99 for a whole year Automatically renews | Free |
Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 5 Mar 2025 |
Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
Tests to check your learning | tick | tick | cross |
Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$244.99 for a whole year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$54/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 5 Mar 2025
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. |
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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