Technical Product Manager VS Generalist Product Manager | by Ryan Flynn (Falcon)
An investigation into the differences between Technical and Generalist product management roles.
I’m someone who loves technology and development, I’ve spent a significant part of my career as a Product Manager in government, focusing primarily on web development projects. I’ve seen a lot about the Technical Product Management role, a role that has sparked my professional interests and my tech-centric skill set.
I really wanted to understand the nuanced differences between Technical Product Management and Generalist Product Management roles, as well as the unique value each brings to an organisation.
To figure out these differences, I started diving into LinkedIn job descriptions for both Product Management and Technical Product Management roles. My focus was to find the core context of each role, compare their respective responsibilities, and outline what the ideal candidate for each role would be.
When comparing the roles of Technical Product Manager and Generalist Product Manager, several key differences emerge in terms of responsibilities and ideal candidate profiles.
Technical Product Manager
- Role Context: Technical Product Managers are typically expected to have a deeper understanding of the technology stack and software development processes. This role is more focused on the technical aspects of product development.
- Responsibilities: They often serve as a bridge between technical and non-technical teams, translating complex technical details into business language. Responsibilities include prioritising technical features, addressing tech debt, and understanding technical constraints.
- Ideal Candidate: Ideal candidates usually have a solid technical background, possibly with hands-on experience in software development or a related field. They should possess strong problem–solving skills and the ability to effectively communicate technical challenges and solutions.
