FDPM1-EF75 Managing Existing Features
FDPM1-EF75 Managing Existing Features
- Course description
- Course codeFDPM1-EF75
- Level of study5.1
- Program of studyDigital Product Management
- Credits7.5
- Course coordinatorMichael John Phillip
As digital product manager, effectively managing existing features is key to sustaining and enhancing product value. This course gives students an overview of ideation methods and creative techniques that stimulate innovation and feature improvement. Students will grasp the importance of a lean/agile mindset, characterised by the iterative process of build, measure, learn, and repeat, which is at the core of continuous product upgrades. Students learn how to analyse, validate and ensure focused outcomes and measure feature enhancements’ success using data-driven methodologies.
Prototyping is at the very centre of the course, and students are introduced to a toolkit for visualising and refining ideas. Students learn to discern between valuable ideas and distractions, craft a product strategy, and create a roadmap guiding the journey towards true product improvement.
Product backlog management as a vital tool for organising and prioritising feature development, and scoping for development are also key competencies taught. These techniques enable students to define project boundaries and manage scope creep effectively, to ensure that projects are delivered within time and budget constraints.
Students in this course gain a deep understanding of digital products' histories, strengths, and weaknesses, enabling them to propose and execute improvements effectively. Additionally, students will learn how to keep cross-functional teams and stakeholders aligned, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within their teams.
This course builds on the previous courses and skills built earlier in the program. It allows the student to explore and apply ideation, creativity and true management skills to real digital product scenarios and cases.
Knowledge:
Understanding theories, facts, principles, procedures in the discipline, subject area and/or occupation.
Skills:
Ability to utilise knowledge to solve problems or tasks (cognitive, practical, creative and communication skills).
General Competence:
Ability to independently utilise knowledge and skills in different situations.
After graduation from this programme, students have acquired the following learning outcomes:
The candidate:
- has knowledge of central principles and methods used for ideation, prototyping and testing, when improving features on existing products.
- has knowledge of scoping techniques to define and manage feature development projects.
- has knowledge of tools for prioritising ideas when developing a product strategy.
- understands the lean/agile mindset, including the principles of build, measure, learn, and repeat.
- understands the purpose of a product backlog in the context of digital product management.
- understands the importance of identifying and testing underlying assumptions in order to mitigate risk.
- understands how to analyse and validate the outcomes of feature enhancements.
The candidate:
- can apply different ideation methods to generate ideas, concepts and solutions, when managing existing features.
- can scope and define project boundaries.
- can create prototypes to visualise, test and iterate on ideas.
- can assess a product’s strengths and weaknesses, and recommend feature improvement in alignment with the product’s value proposition.
- can create a cohesive product roadmap aligned with user needs, and the overarching product and business strategies.
- can develop and maintain a product backlog for feature implementation.
- can update value propositions and refine product strategies when improving existing features.
- can apply tools for identifying and testing underlying assumptions to mitigate risk.
- can analyse and validate the outcomes of suggested feature enhancements.
- can establish a culture of continuous improvement within a digital product management team.
- masters the art of communicating with diverse stakeholders to ensure continuous product improvement.
- can carry out data-driven decision-making processes to validate feature enhancements and measure their success.
The candidate:
- has developed an iterative approach to the design and development of existing features, based on user feedback.
- has developed strong management and decision-making skills.
- has developed communication skills to facilitate collaboration and understanding among team members and stakeholders.
- has developed strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities when faced with challenges in managing existing features.
- understands the ethical principles that apply when improving existing features based on information about users and their needs.
In this course, the following teaching and learning methods can be applied, but are not limited to:
- Lecture: Educator-led presentations or activities providing knowledge, skills, or general competencies in the subject area.
- Group work: Collaborative activities where students work together to solve problems or complete tasks.
- Tutoring: One-on-one or small group sessions with an instructor for personalized guidance and support.
- Student presentations: Opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding of course material by presenting to peers.
- Online lessons: Digital content delivered via an online learning platform.
- Guidance: Individualized advice and direction from instructors to support students in their learning journey.
- Workshops: Practical sessions focused on hands-on application of theoretical concepts or skills.
- Self-study: Independent study where students engage with course material on their own without any teacher support.
Teaching materials, reading lists, and essential resources will be shared in the learning platform and software user manuals where applicable.