Must-Read Books for Product Managers

Product management is a multifaceted role that requires a deep understanding of market needs, customer insights, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams. Whether you’re an aspiring product manager or an experienced professional looking to refine your skills, the right literature can provide invaluable guidance. Here are eight must-read books for product managers that cover a range of essential topics, from strategy and innovation to leadership and execution.

1. Inspired: How To Create Products Customers Love by Marty Cagan

Marty Cagan’s Inspired is a foundational book for anyone involved in product management. Cagan, a partner at Silicon Valley Product Group, shares insights on building successful products by focusing on customer needs. The book covers key concepts such as defining product vision, understanding user needs, and working with engineering teams. Cagan’s practical advice makes Inspired an essential read for product managers looking to create products that resonate with customers.

2. The Lean Product Playbook: How to Innovate with Minimum Viable Products and Rapid Customer Feedback by Dan Olsen

Dan Olsen’s The Lean Product Playbook is a step-by-step guide to implementing lean principles in product management. Olsen provides a framework for developing minimum viable products (MVPs) and iterating based on customer feedback. The book emphasizes the importance of validating ideas early and often, making it an invaluable resource for product managers seeking to minimize risk and maximize innovation.

3. Cracking the PM Interview: How to Land a Product Manager Job in Technology by Gayle Laakmann McDowell and Jackie Bavaro

For those aspiring to break into product management, Cracking the PM Interview by Gayle Laakmann McDowell and Jackie Bavaro is an essential resource. The book covers everything from resume tips to interview strategies, providing a comprehensive guide for landing a product management role. The authors, both experienced in the tech industry, offer insights into what top companies look for in product managers and how to stand out in the hiring process.

4. Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal

Nir Eyal’s Hooked explores the psychology behind habit-forming products and how companies can create products that keep users coming back. The book introduces the “Hook Model,” a framework for understanding user behavior and building products that create lasting habits. Eyal’s insights are particularly valuable for product managers looking to increase user engagement and retention.

5. Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs by John Doerr

John Doerr’s Measure What Matters introduces the concept of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), a goal-setting framework used by companies like Google and Intel. The book explains how OKRs can help product managers align their teams, track progress, and achieve ambitious goals. Doerr’s real-world examples and practical advice make Measure What Matters a must-read for product managers focused on driving results.

6. Escaping the Build Trap: How Effective Product Management Creates Real Value by Melissa Perri

Melissa Perri’s Escaping the Build Trap addresses a common pitfall in product management: the focus on building features rather than creating value. Perri argues that effective product management is about solving problems for customers, not just delivering features. The book provides a roadmap for aligning product strategy with business goals and creating products that deliver real value to customers.

7. The Art of Product Management: Lessons from a Silicon Valley Innovator by Rich Mironov

Rich Mironov’s The Art of Product Management is a collection of essays that offer insights into the challenges and complexities of product management. Mironov draws on his extensive experience in Silicon Valley to provide practical advice on topics such as managing stakeholder expectations, navigating organizational politics, and balancing competing priorities. This book is particularly valuable for experienced product managers looking to refine their craft.

8. The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries

Eric Ries’s The Lean Startup is a groundbreaking book that has had a profound impact on the way products are developed and brought to market. While not exclusively about product management, the book’s principles of continuous innovation, rapid experimentation, and validated learning are highly relevant to the field. Ries’s emphasis on agility and responsiveness makes The Lean Startup a must-read for product managers in fast-paced environments.