Let’s get real: product review meetings often feel like one more item on an already overcrowded agenda. But here’s the twist – they don’t have to be. For the savvy product manager, these meetings can morph from time-sinks into strategic goldmines.
It’s all about extracting crystal-clear insights from leadership to fuel your product’s journey. Ready to find out how? Let’s dive in.
The Purpose of Product Review Meetings
At their core, product review meetings are about three things: getting everyone on the same page (alignment), making decisions that unblock your team’s progress (decision-making), and ensuring the relevant people are clued into what you’re doing (visibility).
Sounds straightforward, right? Well, the magic lies in the execution.
Pre-Meeting Strategy: Set the Stage Right
▷ Crafting the Perfect Pre-Read
This is your first move. Create a sharp, focused document or presentation that highlights key discussion points, current challenges, and potential strategies. The goal here is not to showcase every detail but to prompt thought and prepare leadership for a productive discussion.
Example: Imagine you’re leading a project to enhance user onboarding. Your pre-read might include user journey maps highlighting dropout points, proposed onboarding steps to mitigate these issues, and data to support your strategy.
▷ Distribute 48-78 Hours Prior
Timing is crucial. Sending this document out 48-72 hours before the meeting gives leadership enough time to digest the information and come prepared with insights, without it getting lost in their busy schedules.
Showtime: Make the Meeting Count
▷ Ensure Pre-Read Completion
Begin the meeting by confirming that everyone has reviewed the pre-read material. If not, provide a brief overview of the most critical points to bring everyone up to speed. This ensures the discussion is grounded in the prepared context.
▷ Set the Stage for Feedback
Open the meeting by reiterating the main objectives and discussion points. This sets the expectation that feedback is not only welcomed but necessary. Be clear about what type of feedback you’re seeking: Is it an approval on the proposed path? Insights on a tricky decision? Clarity on the project’s visibility? The clearer you are, the better the feedback you’ll get.
▷ Guide the Conversation
As the discussion unfolds, steer it towards productive outcomes. Encourage participants to share their thoughts on each discussion point and facilitate the conversation to delve deeper into actionable insights.
Back to the user onboarding project example: If a leader questions the need for a particular step, probe further to understand their concerns. Perhaps they have insights into user behavior that could refine your approach.
▷ Capture Feedback, Decisions, and Actions
Documentation is key. Assign a team member to take detailed notes, capturing all feedback, decisions made, and next steps. This ensures nothing gets lost in translation post-meeting.
Post-Meeting: Seal the Deal
▷ Recap and Action Items
Send out a recap email highlighting the discussion points, decisions, and what’s next. It keeps everyone aligned and accountable.
▷ Keep the Door Open
Encourage further feedback, especially if you feel like not everyone got to share their idea during the meeting. Remind participants they can still weigh in on the pre-read document or reach out with a brainwave they might have at 3 AM. But give them a clear deadline.
Extra Tips to Keep in Your Back Pocket
Effective product review meetings are not about going through the motions but about strategic engagement and actionable outcomes.
Here are a few tips to ensure your meetings are as productive as possible:
- Be Selective with Invites: Only invite people who can add value to the discussion.
- Watch the Clock: Keep things moving by allocating specific times to agenda items.
- Follow Up: Don’t let decisions and actions fall through the cracks. Regularly update the team on progress against actions decided in the meeting.
—
Transforming your product review meetings from mundane to monumental isn’t just about following steps; it’s about fostering a culture of openness, insight, and action. Each meeting is an opportunity to align more closely with your leadership, make informed decisions, and ensure everyone is rowing in the same direction.