Curriculum Spotlight: Learning Product Management at BrainStation

BrainStation’s Product Management course is aimed at beginners interested in launching a PM career. Within the 4-unit course (which can be completed online or in-person at a BrainStation campus), students will learn product management fundamentals, such as product strategy, Agile, prototyping, and marketing strategies. Find out how you can prepare for the course through a Start and Build Your Career event hosted by BrainStation, and why product management continues to be a sought-after career in today’s tech world.

What inspired BrainStation to launch a Product Management course? 

Product Management continues to be an ideal career path in 2023 as companies invest in product development and innovation techniques to remain competitive. With the ever-growing number of startups and tech companies, there is a constant demand for skilled Product Managers who can navigate complex technology to drive business value through product. 

Product management is a highly sought-after, fulfilling career path that holds a crucial strategic role in the digital product landscape. The best Product Managers possess a combination of technical and interpersonal skills, making the role challenging to fill. For these reasons, we developed our Product Management course to provide individuals with the fundamental skills to define and execute a customer-centric product development strategy. 

What can students expect to learn in the Product Management course?

The Product Management course is divided into four units to provide a comprehensive learning experience to the learners. 

• The first unit, Product Strategy, covers the fundamentals of product management, including customer-centric approaches, Lean product development, and the role of a Product Manager. 
• In the second unit, Agile Product Management, learners dive deeper into Agile product management and Lean methodologies and learn how to work efficiently with development teams using Agile software development practices. 
• The third unit, Prototyping, focuses on iterative product development processes, such as rapid prototyping, wireframing, testing, prioritization, and product roadmapping, to constantly improve the product. 
• The final unit, Go-to-Market Strategy, covers the steps before product launch, including business analytics to monitor launches and ongoing growth over the entire product life cycle. By the end of the course, learners will have acquired a broad range of skills and knowledge necessary to excel as a Product Manager in today's dynamic digital product ecosystem.

What is the teaching style like in the product management course? What is the time-commitment that students should expect? 

Taught through a combination of live lectures, hands-on exercises, and project-based learning, individuals taking the Product Management course can apply the concepts they have learned to real-world scenarios.

The course is offered in a cohort-based format, allowing learners to collaborate and network with peers while receiving instructor-led guidance and support. Prospective learners may choose between online and in-person delivery at our New York, Miami, London, Toronto, and Vancouver campuses. They attend 3 hours per week of live instruction while completing independent study and project work, adding up to over 30 hours of learning throughout the course’s 8 week duration.

Are the course instructors also PM professionals?

Our instructors are seasoned product management professionals with extensive experience in the tech industry. Coming from companies like Amazon, Peloton, The New York Times, and Audible, our instructors bring their real-world experience into the classroom, sharing insights and best practices with their students. They impart their deep understanding of the product development life cycle and their skills in Agile methodologies, user research, and data-driven decision-making to their learners.

At BrainStation, we are committed to providing our learners with the highest quality education. We ensure our instructors are experienced professionals and passionate educators dedicated to helping our learners achieve their career goals.

Is there an ideal student for the product management course? Is this course appropriate for PM beginners?

This beginner-friendly course suits people from all backgrounds looking to break into product management. The ideal student is curious, driven, and eager to learn. If you want to change careers, upskill, or enter the field straight out of school, this course can provide the fundamental knowledge to support your pursuit of a career in Product Management.

While having basic technical skills is beneficial, they are not required to succeed in the Product Management course. We provide students with an understanding of the technical aspects of product development, focusing on strategic and business components of the role.

There is no formal admissions process for the Product Management course, however we recommend speaking with a BrainStation Learning Advisor who will assess a candidate’s background and goals. From there, they can help advise whether the course is the right fit for the learner. 

BrainStation also offers a Product Leadership course. How is the Product Management course different from the Product Leadership course?

Established Product Managers interested in leveling up should take the Product Leadership course. This course focuses on developing strategic leadership skills, such as product vision, team building, stakeholder management, and organizational strategy.

For those with limited experience, our Product Management course allows beginners to learn the fundamentals of the subject. This course covers the essential day-to-day tasks of a Product Manager, such as customer-centricity, product development, Agile methodologies, and go-to-market strategies. We designed this course to provide learners with the need-to-know knowledge and basic skills essential to break into the field of product management.

Does BrainStation offer an intro course for those interested in the product management course?

BrainStation’s Product Management course is a great first step to becoming a Product Manager. We also host many events designed to allow people to learn more about BrainStation and careers in tech:

• The Start and Build a Career in Product Management event allows attendees to hear from industry experts on their experience in product, design, and marketing. 
• BrainStation’s Tech Social events are city-specific networking events for the local community. Attendees come to make meaningful connections with those working or looking to break into tech, founders and entrepreneurs, and BrainStation Instructors, students, and alumni. 

For those near a campus, we recommend taking a tour to learn more about our spaces and offerings from someone on the BrainStation team. 

What is your advice for students embarking on a program like this? 

Stay engaged and participate actively in the learning process – complete all assignments, participate in class discussions, and collaborate with classmates on group projects. Additionally, networking with fellow students and industry professionals can be invaluable as you embark on your new career path.

Regardless of experience, take advantage of the resources BrainStation provides you with. Many learners have benefited from putting extra effort into their portfolio projects to showcase themselves upon exiting the course. BrainStation instructors are also great resources to learn from while preparing to enter the product management field. 

For students who are career changers, we recommend using the program as an opportunity to build new skills and gain practical experience in product management. Keep an open mind and be willing to learn by actively seeking opportunities to apply new skills in real-world settings. On top of this, networking and building connections in the field can be crucial for career changers looking to break into product management. 

If you are upskilling, we suggest using the product management skills and knowledge obtained to build a solid foundation. Master the fundamental principles and tools used by Product Managers, and gain hands-on experience through projects and case studies. Finally, keep up-to-date on industry trends and best practices to stay competitive and advance your career. 

Find out more and read BrainStation reviews on Course Report. This article was produced by the Course Report team in partnership with BrainStation.