What Is the Product Operating Model?
The product operating model is a system used to build and deliver products effectively. Many businesses incorporate it into their product management framework or product-led growth strategy.
Its main goal is to create products that people love. The approach helps teams align on product operations, goals, and customer needs. This alignment improves efficiency, cross-collaboration, and customer satisfaction.
Expert Insight on the Product Operating Model
Cynthia Glunt, Senior Product Manager at ICAgile, shared her expertise on the topic. She said, “In the context of product development and delivery, the product operating model fundamentally enhances how teams operate and make decisions.”
One key benefit is that teams can adapt the model as needed. “At first, organizations may adopt a flexible approach, ensuring integration across diverse functions like marketing, development, sales, and customer satisfaction. This model prioritizes aligning all efforts around delivering customer value efficiently,” she said.
However, “As companies mature, they often evolve toward a more standardized, product-centric focus. This shift enhances process efficiency, reduces effort duplication, and accelerates responsiveness to market changes, ultimately fostering continuous innovation and delivering high-quality products consistently,” Glunt added.
Her insights reveal how the model helps teams modify the product development process to prioritize customer value.
