Top 20 Product Management Books
Books on product management play a crucial role in the development and growth of product managers, as well as in the overall success of product teams and organisations. Here are some key reasons why a good product management book is important:
- Knowledge and Skills Development: Product management books provide a structured and comprehensive way to learn essential concepts, methodologies, and best practices in the field. They cover a wide range of topics, including product strategy, user research, market analysis, product design, development methodologies, and more.
- Practical Guidance: Books for Product Managers often offer practical advice and actionable strategies that can be directly implemented in real-world scenarios. They provide frameworks, case studies, and examples that help product managers navigate common challenges, make informed decisions, and achieve better outcomes.
- Thought Leadership: Many product management books are authored by industry experts and thought leaders(like Neel Mehta Google Product Manager) who have extensive experience in the field. These authors share their insights, lessons learned, and unique perspectives, offering readers a chance to tap into their wisdom and expertise.
- Inspiration and Motivation: Best Books on Product management can serve as a source of inspiration and motivation. They showcase success stories, innovative product launches, and transformative strategies that can spark new ideas and fuel creativity.
- Continuous Learning and Growth: The field of product management is dynamic, with evolving methodologies, technologies, and market trends. Product management books provide an opportunity for professionals to engage in continuous learning and stay ahead of the curve.
Here is the Top 20 list of the product book on how to become a great product manager.
| Author | Carlos González de Villaumbrosia and Josh Anon |
| Published Date | 2017 |
| Ratings | Goodreads: 4.13 based on 1142 ratings Amazon: 4.5 based on 2773 ratings |
| Number of Pages | 316 |
This Product Manager Book covers everything from the basics of product management to more advanced topics such as user research, design, and engineering.
What makes The Product Book interesting is its combination of theory and practice. The authors draw on their own experience as product managers to provide real-world examples of how to apply the principles of product management.
In addition to being informative, The Product Book is also an enjoyable read. The authors have a knack for making complex concepts easy to understand. They also write in a clear and engaging style that keeps the reader’s attention.
It is a comprehensive, practical, and enjoyable book that will help you develop the skills you need to be a successful product manager.
Here are some of the things that make The Product Book interesting:
- It is written by experienced product managers who have worked at top tech companies.
- It covers all aspects of product management, from ideation to launch.
- It is full of practical advice and examples.
- It is well-written and engaging.
The target audience for The Product Book: How to Become a Great Product Manager is anyone who is interested in a career in product management. This includes:
- Current and aspiring product managers who want to learn more about the role and how to be successful.
- Engineers, designers, and other technical professionals who want to understand the product management side of the business.
- Business leaders who want to learn more about how to build successful products.
If you’re just a beginner, the product manager book may be a bit overwhelming to you.
| Author | Marty Cagan |
| Published Date | First Edition was released in 2008 The second edition was released in 2017 |
| Ratings | Goodreads: 4.25/5 based on 20,501 ratings Amazon: 4.6/5 based on 4913 ratings |
| Number of Pages | 362 |
Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love is one of the product books that would leave you in awe with all its facts and knowledge, and experiences.
What makes this one of the best books on product management is Cagan’s immense knowledge and experience that he has jotted down for this book.
Marty Cagan himself is a Silicon Valley Product Manager and Founder of the Silicon Valley Product Group, before which he spent years serving various facets of the corporate world ranging from software development, testing, product management, product marketing and User Experience Design.
The book is a guide for product managers who want to create successful technology products. Being one of the best product development books, it covers topics such as:
- The product manager’s role
- The product development process
- How to gather customer feedback
- How to build a great product team
- How to measure product success
Inspired is a popular book among product managers and entrepreneurs. It has been praised for its practical advice and insights into the product development process.
| Author | Marc Abraham |
| Published Date | May 2019 |
| Ratings | Goodreads: 4.15/5 based on 144 ratings Amazon: 4.3/5 based on 158 ratings |
| Number of Pages | 152 |
My Product Management Toolkit is a comprehensive guide to the product management professionals. Covering a wide range of topics, from the basics of product management to more advanced concepts such as user research, product design, and product marketing, My Product Management Toolkit has got all covered to make you one of the best product managers.
With Abraham’s 20 years of experience in the Product Management field, be ready to gain some key insights that you can implement later on in your career to become the best product manager in your industry.
The target audience for this product book includes both aspiring and current product managers.
Here are some of the specific benefits that readers can expect from the book:
- Learn the essential skills and knowledge: The product book covers all the essential topics in product management, from the basics to the nitty gritties.
- Gain insights into Product Management Trends: The book provides insights into the latest trends in product management, such as the rise of agile product development, the importance of customer feedback, and the need for product managers to be data-driven.
- Improve your skills and knowledge: The product management book provides practical advice and exercises that can help you improve your skills and knowledge in product management.
- Become a more successful product manager: The book offers advice on how to be more successful as a product manager, such as how to build relationships with stakeholders, how to manage risk, and how to measure the success of your products.
| Author | Dan Olsen |
| Published Date | 20th January, 2015 |
| Ratings | Goodreads: 4.29/5 based on 2852 ratings Amazon: 4.6/5 based on 1046 ratings |
| Number of Pages | 307 |
Dan Olsen, who holds an MBA Degree from Stanford and is known for his contributions in the field of product management, has poured all his heart and brains into this book, therefore making it one of the top product management books. Targeted towards product managers, entrepreneurs, and individuals involved in the product development process, the product book is a comprehensive guide to applying lean startup principles and agile methodologies in the product development process. Here are some key details:
Overview: The Lean Product Playbook is designed to help product managers and entrepreneurs create innovative products that customers love. It focuses on a lean and iterative approach to product development, emphasising customer-centricity, experimentation, and validated learning.
Core Concepts: This product book explores several core concepts and techniques, including problem-solution fit, product-market fit, minimum viable product (MVP), rapid prototyping, customer development, user testing, and continuous improvement.
Structure: The book is divided into three main parts. Part 1 focuses on the Lean Product Process, providing a detailed framework for product management that covers key stages such as understanding the market, defining the product, and validating the solution. Part 2 dives deeper into each stage of the process, offering practical tools and techniques. Part 3 addresses organisational challenges and scaling the lean product approach.
Case Studies and Examples: Throughout the book, Dan Olsen shares numerous real-world examples and case studies to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
Worksheets and Templates: The Lean Product Playbook includes a range of helpful worksheets, templates, and checklists that readers can use to apply the concepts in their own product development efforts.
Practical Advice: The book provides practical advice on various product management topics, such as conducting effective customer interviews, prioritising features, running successful experiments, and using data to drive decision-making. It offers tips and best practices based on the author’s extensive experience in the field.
| Author | Nir Eyal |
| Published Date | 26th December, 2013 |
| Ratings | Goodreads: 4.10/5 based on 40,145 ratings Amazon: 4.6/5 based on 7132 ratings |
| Number of Pages | 243 |
If you aspire to become one of the best product managers, you must focus on building products that would get your target audience hooked on the product. This is where Nir’s Hook Model comes into the scene.
The Hook Model is a four-step process that products use to capture user attention and encourage repeated engagement. The Hook Model is based on the psychological principles of motivation and habit formation.
The four steps in the Hook Model are:
- Trigger: The first step is to trigger a user’s desire or need. This can be done by sending a notification, providing a reward, or simply making the product easy to use.
- Action: Once the user is triggered, they need to take action. This could be anything from clicking on a link to signing up for a service.
- Variable Reward: The user should be rewarded for taking action. This reward should be variable, meaning that it should not be predictable. This will keep the user coming back for more.
- Investment: The user should be encouraged to invest time, money, or effort into the product. This will make them more likely to stick with it in the long run.
Eyal is best known for his work on the psychology of habit-forming products and has made significant contributions to the understanding of user behaviour and engagement.
Reading this product manager book would help you fathom the art of creating products with higher user engagement by knowing their trigger points and motive to come back to your product.
| Author | David DeWolf and Jessica Hall |
| Published Date | First Edition: October 29, 2019 Second Edition: April 18, 2023 |
| Ratings | Goodreads: 3.94/5 based on 54 ratings Amazon: 4.6/5 based on 7132 ratings |
| Number of Pages | 224 |
The book teaches product managers how to develop a customer-centric mindset touching all the below listed points:
- Understanding the customer
- Building a customer-centric culture
- Measuring customer success
Here are some of the key takeaways from the book:
- The customer is the centre of the product development process. Everything that a product manager does should be focused on meeting the needs of the customer.
- It is important to understand the customer’s journey. This includes understanding the customer’s pain points, goals, and motivations.
- It is important to build products that are easy to use and meet the customer’s needs. The product should be simple and intuitive to use, and it should solve a real problem for the customer.
- It is important to get feedback from customers. This feedback can be used to improve the product and make it more user-friendly.
- It is important to measure customer success. This can be done by tracking metrics such as customer satisfaction, engagement, and retention.
The product management book is vital for all the product managers who want to excel in their career and learn to consider customer/client sentiments while building a product.
| Author | Marty Cagan and Chris Jones |
| Published Date | December 2020 |
| Ratings | Goodreads: 4.32/5 based on 2433 ratings Amazon: 4.7/5 based on 1191 ratings |
| Number of Pages | 432 |
This book is a follow-up to Cagan’s previous book, Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love, and is undoubtedly one of the best product development books one can read.
In Empowered, Cagan and Jones argue that the best product companies are those that empower their product teams to make decisions and take risks.
Cagan and Jones argue that empowered product teams are more likely to create successful products because they are more motivated, more creative, and more innovative. They also argue that empowered product teams are better able to adapt to change and respond to customer needs.
The book is divided into three parts:
- Part One: The Empowered Product Team
- Part Two: Building Empowered Product Teams
- Part Three: Leading Empowered Product Teams
Product Professionals and Business Leaders can definitely give this product book a try!
| Author | Geoffrey A. Moore. |
| Published Date | Initial release 1991 |
| Ratings | Goodreads: 4.01/5 based on 27,792 ratings Amazon: 4.6/5 based on 2146 ratings |
| Number of Pages | 227 |
Crossing the Chasm is a marketing concept developed by Geoffrey A. Moore that describes the difficulty of marketing innovative new products to mainstream customers. Moore argues that there is a chasm between early adopters and the early majority.
The early adopters are typically technology enthusiasts who are willing to try new products even if they are not yet fully developed. They are not concerned with price or performance, but rather with being on the cutting edge. The early majority, on the other hand, are more cautious and will not adopt a new product until it has been proven to be successful. They are concerned with price, performance, and compatibility with existing systems.
In order to cross the chasm, companies must focus on the needs of the early majority. This means developing products that are easy to use, affordable, and compatible with existing systems.
Here are some of the key steps that companies can take to cross the chasm:
- Focus on the needs of the early majority.
- Change their marketing strategy
- Build relationships with key influencers having the ability to influence the buying decisions of others.
- Be patient.
In a nutshell, Crossing The Charm is an interesting book that product and marketing teams can consider reading. The book therefore falls in the category of best books on product management because of such an interesting concept that Moore has successfully explained in the book.
| Author | Julie Zhuo |
| Published Date | March 19, 2019 |
| Ratings | Goodreads: 4.23/5 based on 14,777 ratings Amazon: 4.6/5 based on 4326 ratings |
| Number of Pages | 288 |
When the list is about top books about product management, one can’t miss this book from the former VP of Product Design at Facebook. Yes! You read it right. Julie served as the Product Design VP at Facebook and has put forward her knowledge, thinking and experiences in this book.
The book is a guide for new managers, providing advice on how to set expectations, build trust, and give feedback. It has been praised for its practical advice and relatable anecdotes.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the book:
- Set clear expectations.
- Build trust.
- Give feedback.
The Making of a Manager is a valuable resource for anyone who is new to management. It provides practical advice and relatable anecdotes that can help you be a more effective manager.
| Author | Ken Sandy |
| Published Date | March 19, 2019 |
| Ratings | Goodreads: 4.11/5 based on 47 ratings Amazon: 4.6/5 based on 46 ratings |
| Number of Pages | 384 |
The Influential Product Manager is a book by Ken Sandy, a product management veteran with over 20 years of experience. The book is a comprehensive guide to the role of a product manager, covering everything from product strategy to team management.
The book is divided into three parts:
- Part I: The Product Manager’s Role This part of the book defines the role of a product manager and discusses the key skills and responsibilities of the role.
- Part II: The Product Management Process This part of the book covers the product management process, from ideation to launch.
- Part III: The Product Manager’s Toolkit This part of the book provides a collection of tools and resources that product managers can use to be successful.
The Influential Product Manager is a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in a career in product management. The book is well-written and informative, and it provides a wealth of practical advice.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the book:
- The product manager is the voice of the customer. The product manager is responsible for understanding the needs of the customer and translating those needs into products that meet those needs.
- The product manager is the bridge between the business and the engineering teams. The product manager is responsible for ensuring that the business goals are aligned with the engineering team’s capabilities.
- The product manager is a leader. The product manager is responsible for setting the vision for the product and motivating the team to achieve that vision.
| Author | Melissa Perri |
| Published Date | November 2018 |
| Ratings | Amazon: 4.6/5 based on 1354 ratings |
| Number of Pages | 200 |
Escaping the Build Trap is a practical guide for product managers who want to create products that are truly valuable to their customers. The product management book provides a framework for product managers to follow, and it is full of real-world examples.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the book:
- The customer is the most important person in the product development process.
- It is important to understand the customer’s needs before you start building a product.
- It is important to define the problem that you are trying to solve before you start developing a solution.
- It is important to measure the results of your product development efforts to determine if your product is successful.
| Author | Aditya Agashe, Neel Mehta, and Parth Detroja |
| Published Date | August 6, 2020. |
| Ratings | Goodreads: 4.32/5 based on 169 ratings Amazon: 4.7/5 based on 766 ratings |
| Number of Pages | 725 |
Product Management’s Sacred Seven is a comprehensive product book that will teach you the must-know knowledge and applied skills necessary to become a world-class best product manager that can get hired anywhere.
The book is divided into seven sections:
- The Sacred Seven – This section introduces the seven essential skills that all product managers need to master.
- Product Strategy – This section covers how to define and execute on a successful product strategy.
- User Research – This section teaches you how to gather and analyze user feedback to inform your product decisions.
- Product Design – This section teaches you how to design products that are both usable and delightful.
- Product Marketing – This section teaches you how to launch and market your products successfully.
- Case Studies – This section provides real-world examples of how the seven sacred skills have been used to build successful products.
- Interview Tips – This section provides tips on how to ace your product manager interviews.
Product Management’s Sacred Seven is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about product management.
| Author | John Cutler and Jason Scherschligt |
| Published Date | 2019 |
| Ratings | Goodreads: 4.32/5 based on 169 ratings Amazon: 4.7/5 based on 766 ratings |
| Number of Pages | 104 |
The North Star Playbook walks you through the process of defining your North Star Metric, identifying the inputs that drive it, and using it to make decisions about your product. It also includes tips on how to communicate your North Star Metric to your team and stakeholders.
Here are some of the key concepts in the North Star Playbook that makes it one of the best product manager books:
- The North Star Metric: The North Star Metric is a single metric that represents the most important goal for your product. It should be something that is meaningful to your users and that you can track over time to measure your progress.
- Inputs: The inputs are the things that drive your North Star Metric. They are the actions that your users take that lead to them achieving your desired outcome.
- Decision making: The North Star Metric should be used to make decisions about your product. When you are considering a new feature or change, you should ask yourself how it will impact your North Star Metric.
- Communication: The North Star Metric should be communicated to your team and stakeholders. This will help everyone understand what is important and how their work contributes to the overall success of the product.
| Author | Ben Horowitz |
| Published Date | March 4, 2014. |
| Ratings | Goodreads: 4.2/5 based on 86,357 ratings Amazon: 4.6/5 based on 13,149 ratings |
| Number of Pages | 304 |
Ben Horowitz is the co-founder of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz and former CEO of Opsware (formerly Loudcloud). This is not only one of the best books for product managers but also a guide to every entrepreneur who is trying to make it big.
The book has been praised for its honesty, its insights, and its practical advice. Horowitz doesn’t shy away from the tough subjects, such as firing employees, making difficult decisions, and dealing with failure. He also offers valuable advice on how to build a strong team, create a culture of accountability, and stay focused on your goals.
| Author | Ryan Singer |
| Published Date | Web Version: July 10, 2019 Physical Form: January 17, 2023 |
| Ratings | Goodreads: 4.29/5 based on 2231 ratings |
| Number of Pages | 133 |
Shape Up is a collection of technical procedures and roadmaps that the author created throughout their 15-year tenure at BaseCamp.
Ryan in his product management book has argued that managers must “shape” the product and “bet” that a smaller-than-usual product team can finish it in six weeks.
Shape Up, which is based on the Agile approach, demonstrates how to put into practise well-delegated and well-planned product development strategies by exploring PM domains outside of Scrum and other structures. It also describes how an Agile strategy might appear if it weren’t for the existing SCRUM standards.
Being one of the best product development books, this is a must read for Product Managers and Product Owners.
| Author | Eric Ries |
| Published Date | September 13, 2011 |
| Ratings | Goodreads: 4.1/5 based on 308,418 ratings Amazon: 4.5/5 based on 13,053 ratings |
| Number of Pages | 336 |
The Lean Startup is a methodology for developing businesses and products, and is followed by some of the best product managers. It is based on the idea that businesses should build products that customers actually want, rather than trying to guess what customers want. The Lean Startup methodology emphasises customer feedback and iteration, and it has been used by many successful startups, including Airbnb, Dropbox, and Stripe.
Here are some of the key concepts of the Lean Startup methodology:
- Build-Measure-Learn
- Validated learning
- Pivot or persevere
The Lean Startup methodology has been praised by entrepreneurs, academics, and business leaders alike. It has been credited with helping to launch a new wave of startups, and it is now widely used by businesses of all sizes.
| Author | Jake Knapp |
| Published Date | March 8, 2016 |
| Ratings | Goodreads: 4.2/5 based on 20,661 ratings Amazon: 4.6/5 based on 4196 ratings |
| Number of Pages | 288 |
The Product Book is a guide to using the design sprint process, which is a five-day process for answering critical business questions through design, prototyping, and testing ideas.
The book is divided into five parts:
- Day 1: Understand the problem
- Day 2: Map out the solution
- Day 3: Build a prototype
- Day 4: Test the prototype
- Day 5: Decide what to do next
Each day of the sprint is focused on a specific task. On Day 1, the team gathers to understand the problem they are trying to solve. They do this by interviewing users, brainstorming solutions, and creating a problem statement.
On Day 2, the team maps out the solution. They do this by creating a storyboard, which is a visual representation of the user experience. The storyboard helps the team to visualise how the user will interact with the product.
On Day 3, the team builds a prototype. The prototype is a rough, working model of the product. It does not have to be perfect, but it should be functional enough to test with users.
On Day 4, the team tests the prototype with users. They do this by inviting users to come to the office and try out the product. The team observes the users as they use the product and collects feedback.
On Day 5, the team decides what to do next. They use the feedback from the user testing to decide whether to move forward with the product, pivot to a different solution, or abandon the project altogether.
| Author | Brittany Fuller and Andrea Wang |
| Published Date | February 1, 2023 |
| Ratings | Goodreads: 3.5/5 based on 12 ratings |
| Number of Pages | 100 |
The first step to providing ongoing value to customers and fostering growth with your digital product is understanding product analytics. To assist you in getting started, the Amplitude team collaborated with Wiley Books to create Product Analytics for Dummies.
The book delves deep into managing a successful product, including data management, behavioural targeting, product-led growth, and personalised experiences.
The product management book is useful for all the PMs or Junior PMs for having an analytical view to developing new products.
| Author | Teresa Torres |
| Published Date | April 14, 2021 |
| Ratings | Goodreads: 4.5/5 based on 2379 ratings Amazon: 4.6/5 based on 1520 ratings |
| Number of Pages | 244 |
It is written by Teresa Torres, an internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and coach. She teaches a structured and sustainable approach to continuous discovery that helps product teams infuse their daily product work with customer feedback.
Continuous Discovery Habits is a valuable resource and truly one of the top product management books for product managers, product designers, and anyone else who wants to build products that create customer value and business value.
It is a practical guide that will help you implement continuous discovery in your product team and improve your products over time.
| Author | Amy Jo Kim |
| Published Date | May 25, 2018 |
| Ratings | Goodreads: 4.16/5 based on 113 ratings Amazon: 4.5/5 based on 88 ratings |
| Number of Pages | 214 |
Game Thinking is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to create more engaging and rewarding products and services. It is a practical guide that will help you apply the principles of game design to your work.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the book:
- Game design principles can be applied to non-game products and services.
- Game thinking is a way of thinking about products and services that focuses on creating engaging and rewarding experiences for users.
- There are many different ways to apply game thinking to your products and services.
- It is important to measure the results of your game thinking efforts.
Here was the complete list of top product management books that is sure to leave you enriched with enough knowledge that you can try implementing in your career.
