Product Management Conforming to Theory
Question: Does product management need to conform to a theory?
Yes.
Theory is the mechanism to judge what is included and excluded in product management.
Theory determines the scope and boundaries of practicing product management.
We use theory to build all elements of the product management domain, e.g., terminology, definitions, roles, tasks, responsibilities, teams, models, processes, interfaces to other departments, etc.
The result is a strategic, systematic, and disciplined way of how the company deals with all product-related issues. PMTK is an example of such.
Without theory, personalities, opinions, and conjecture will compete to shape the product management domain. The result would be chaotic, inefficient, and contentious.