Essence and Purpose of the Blackblot PMTK Methodology™
Question: "What is the Blackblot Product Manager's Toolkit® (PMTK) Methodology?"
Answer: Blackblot Product Manager's Toolkit® (PMTK) is a comprehensive set of models and professional templates which constitute a complete product management methodology that illustrates notable best practices and processes to help create successful market-driven products.
Question: "How is the Blackblot PMTK a methodology and not a framework or a model?"
Answer: A Framework is a basic conceptional structure, a collection of ideas. A Model is an attempt at graphically, verbally, or mathematically representing an idea or system. A Methodology is a set of well-documented (and time-tested) principles and methods which govern a particular discipline or body of knowledge. Blackblot Product Manager's Toolkit® (PMTK) is a product management methodology that contains and is governed by the combination of its own frameworks, models, and methods.
Question: "What are the novel/new perspectives that the Blackblot PMTK Methodology™ brings?"
Answer: The Blackblot PMTK Methodology™ introduces the following new perspectives on product management:
- It creates a body of knowledge for the product management profession (presents a comprehensive product management methodology that is comprised of tasks, processes, deliverables, and roles).
- It creates a common vocabulary, definitions, and role descriptions that promote a consistent understanding about the product management profession.
Question: "Is the Blackblot PMTK Methodology™ theoretical or practical?"
Answer: The Blackblot PMTK Methodology™ is comprised of both theoretical and practical components which fully explain the underlying fundamental concepts of the methodology, and intricately detail the inner workings of how to practically apply the methodology in business.
Question: "Is the Blackblot PMTK Methodology™ specific to high-tech and software?"
Answer: The Blackblot PMTK Methodology™ is intrinsically governed by its own foundation rules, concepts, and core models. The principles of product management can be applied to any product or service and therefore the Blackblot PMTK Methodology™ is used by high-tech companies in the fields of hardware, software, internet, telecom, cellular communications, and is also used by service and manufacturing companies in traditional industries such as banking, pharmaceuticals, bio-tech, military, instrumentation, and light manufacturing.
Question: "Why do companies need the Blackblot PMTK Methodology™?"
Answer: From sport to business, results in any field of endeavor are achieved by the orderly implementation of a discipline. Accordingly, consistently applying any standardized product management methodology such as the Blackblot PMTK Methodology™ can greatly increase the probability of product success and profitability.
Question: "What strategic challenges did the Blackblot PMTK Methodology™ resolve?"
Answer: The strategic challenge that the Blackblot PMTK Methodology™ addressed was the overriding lack of a complete and consistent product management methodology in the technology products and services industry. This challenge was resolved by introducing a consistent and holistic managerial approach to product management that is manifested in a practical and comprehensive methodology (terminology, definitions, tasks, processes, deliverables, and roles) that covers nearly all aspects of product management.
Question: "What tactical challenges did the Blackblot PMTK Methodology™ resolve?"
Answer: The tactical challenges that the Blackblot PMTK Methodology™ addressed was (1) the need in Product Planning for effective practices that clearly identify and articulate market and product requirements, and (2) the need in Product Marketing for effective practices that guide outbound activities aimed at generating product awareness, differentiation, and demand.
These challenges were resolved with the introduction of the Blackblot Procedural Requirements Management™ (PRM), a formal language and methodology to create high-quality, usable market and product requirements; and the Blackblot PMTK Value-Marketing Model™ which guides and shapes all marketing activities.
Question: "What operational challenges did the Blackblot PMTK Methodology™ resolve?"
Answer: The operational challenge that the Blackblot PMTK Methodology™ addressed was the lack of consistency and uniformity in the appearance, instruction tone, and general workflow of various product management templates on the market. This challenge was resolved with the introduction of over thirty PMTK professional work templates which are consistent and uniform, and collectively allow for the practical application of the Blackblot PMTK Methodology™ in business.
Question: "What challenge does the Blackblot PMTK Methodology™ glossary component resolve?"
Answer: Perspectives abound as to what the marketing and product management disciplines are responsible for and how to define them. This diversity influences the corporate terminology that shapes roles and company processes. This challenge was resolved with the introduction of the Blackblot PMTK Methodology™ extensive glossary component, which fosters a consistent set of clear term definitions that builds a common vocabulary, improves internal cooperation, and standardizes corporate processes.
Question: "What Blackblot services and products support the Blackblot PMTK Methodology™?"
Answer: The Blackblot PMTK Methodology™ is the centerpiece of Blackblot's offering. Leveraging the Blackblot PMTK Methodology™, Blackblot provides a host of products and services which include a progressive training program, an international certification program, professional templates, a systematic workbook, psychometric tests, a knowledge base repository, content retention tools, concept presentations, workplace action plans, career support, methodology implementation services, and more.