New PMs: 90-Day Onboarding Plan [Calendar Included]
So, youâve just landed your first product management gig. Congrats! đ
Now, reality is sinking in, and you might be thinking: "How do I onboard myself in this new role without looking like a lost puppy?"
Spoiler alert: Itâs possible. With a bit of focus, curiosity, and a game plan, youâll be slinging roadmaps and prioritizing features like a pro in no time.
đđź Hey, itâs Raj. Welcome back to Product Playbooks. Every week, I break down reader questions with simple, actionable advice. Got a PM question? Shoot it over. Lets dive in.
Q: How do I successfully onboard myself as a new PM?
Onboarding yourself in a new role can feel overwhelming, especially as a product manager. Youâre expected to be a decision-maker, the person who knows everything about the product, the go-to for the team.
But guess what? You donât have to know everything on day one. In fact, onboarding yourself is about building that knowledge and positioning yourself as the problem-solver. Letâs break it down into three phases:
Phase 1: The Explorer (Days 1â30) đ
The first month is all about learningâeverything and anything you can get your hands on. Your main job is to be the most curious person in the room.
Goal 1: Understand the Product
Get your hands dirty with the product. Play with it. Break it. Know it inside out.
Action: Schedule product demos with stakeholders and play around with the product yourself.
Goal 2: Meet the People
Talk to everyoneâdevelopers, designers, sales, marketing, and, most importantly, customers.
Action: Set up 1-on-1s with key stakeholders to understand their perspectives and pain points. Ask questions like:
- Whatâs your biggest frustration with the product?
- What would make your life easier?
Goal 3: Study the Metrics
Find out how success is measured. Dive into the key metrics the company uses to track product success.
Action: Request access to analytics tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or internal dashboards. What do customers love? Whatâs broken?
