The Data PM Gazette: Your Insider's Guide to Thriving in the World of Data Product Management!

Dear data and product enthusiasts,

Welcome to "The Data PM Gazette," a newsletter that I've longed for!

Data PMs, the unsung heroes who work on data, ML, or AI products, are constantly navigating a flux of technology, requirements, use cases, and data experts (apologies for yet another newsletter!). Since I began my journey as a Data PM, everything has changed: from storage and computing to models, tools, and even processes. It's become increasingly challenging to keep up with the industry's rapid evolution. AI and ML are no longer mere buzzwords; customers now expect features that leverage these technologies. Have you released your copilot yet?

Data engineering and ML/AI development have become core capabilities for most businesses which every Data PM needs to know. Consequently, the market is flooded with data vendors, forcing us to make constant "build vs. buy" decisions. The Data PM Gazette aims to be your one-stop-shop, answering these questions and more, eliminating that lingering feeling of being overwhelmed.

About me: who am I and why do this?

I'm Richa, a Data Platform PM at Clari who has dealt with breaking pipelines since 2015! Before Clari, I worked at SisuData, building an ML-based product for "decisions intelligence." But, I spent most years shepherding a "data intelligence" using big data at SocialCops/Atlan where I got to work with the most impactful decision-makers with the worst datasets.

Through these experiences, I've honed my skills in getting the requirements right, understanding the scale challenges, and being customer-obsessed when delivering insights. I constantly strive to expand my knowledge by studying new data engineering and science concepts, analyzing the success stories of others, and keeping up with market trends. And, therefore, I fully recognize the significance of staying current with data technologies and their common applications in the business world. I am excited to share my insights, industry updates, and occasional pearls of wisdom gained through my vast experience. Plus, I don’t want to do this alone anymore.

Together, we'll explore the intricacies of product strategy for data products, the art of cross-functional collaboration, and the tangled web of ML models and AI copilots, along with setting your data strategy/platform the right way.

I want this newsletter to serve as a sanctuary for thought-provoking conversations and community engagement. I want to hear your confessions, celebrate your triumphs with data product strategies, and address your burning questions. Together, let's build a community of data and product enthusiasts who support and learn from one another. After all, data is more fun when shared!

Now, let’s talk business, what’s in store for the rest of July?

What’s next: Who is Data PM? Role, Responsibilities, and Challenges!

In this first three-part series, let’s understand the job role of a Data PM, its unique challenges, and potential solutions that can make all the difference. So, if you are early in the role of Data PM or looking for some industry gyaan this series is for you. Here's a sneak peek of what's in store:

Part 1: Let’s answer the burning question how is a Data PM different than a regular product manager? Let’s demystify the role, uncover the specific skill set required, and explore the nuances that make Data PMs an indispensable asset for many companies.

Part 2: Data product management comes with its own set of challenges. Fear not! I have gathered a treasure trove of tips and tricks from seasoned Data PMs that will help you navigate those rough waters. Get ready for practical insights, innovative approaches, and a few "aha" moments along the way.

Part 3: Data-driven decision-making is the holy grail, but it's not always smooth sailing. In this final part, we'll dive into the challenges faced by data teams and explore how a Data PM can make a tangible impact. Expect some invaluable strategies, collaboration hacks, and real-world examples to help you foster a data-driven culture within your organization.

🔗 Data links of the week

Our constant feature of the newsletter to keep you updated with what’s interesting to read from the data land:

1. A great overview of how LLMs are currently being architected by a16z is here. If you are implementing LLMs, will help you drive and understand those architectural conversations and make decisions that work well for your business and customer.

   

2. Two of the biggest summits happened last week, the Data + AI Summit and the Snowflake Summit, Monte Carlo put together a great summary here. Don’t want to read that long, here’s my summary of that summary.

3. The BI tool, Mode, was acquired by Thoughtspot to bring BI closer to AI. Read more here. Do you think that BI and DI (Decisions Intelligence) spaces are up for consolidation? Tell me in the comments.

   

So, all my data-savvy compatriots, let's buckle up and venture into the vast expanse of the data universe. We'll unlock its secrets, explore the latest industry trends, and navigate the technical intricacies with the expertise of seasoned professionals. Are you ready to join me on this thrilling expedition? Subscribe now, and together, we'll conquer the data realm!

Stay curious, stay data-savvy, and let's embark on this epic data journey together!

With data-fueled enthusiasm and a dash of whimsy,
Richa,
Chief Data Obsessor at The Data PM Gazette