2024 Benchmark Report With Robyn Brooks

Introduction and Welcome to Productside Stories

Rina Alexin | 00:00–01:25

Hello everyone, I’m **Rina Alexin** from **Productside**, and you’re listening to *Productside Stories*! Today is a special one — it’s our very first podcast episode, and I’m thrilled to launch it with a topic that’s near and dear to us: the **Productside Benchmark Report**.

I’m joined by our very own Robyn Brooks, Director of Product Management here at Productside. Robyn, welcome! I’d love for you to introduce yourself — and, of course, share how you found your way into product management.

Robyn Brooks | 01:25–04:50

Thank you, Rina. I’m **Robyn Brooks**, based in Portland, Oregon, and I’m the **Director of Product Management at Productside** — which honestly is the most fun job imaginable because I get to build products for product managers!

My career started in an unexpected place — as a high school English and Drama teacher. Like many of my peers, my path into product management wasn’t linear. I became fascinated with learning technology early on, moved into LMS administration, and before I knew it, I was leading product initiatives in education technology. Eventually, that journey led me to Productside, and I’ve loved every minute of it.

Why the Benchmark Report Matters to the Product Community

Rina Alexin | 04:50–08:35

I find that product management attracts people from all walks of life — and that’s part of what makes this discipline so fascinating. It’s also why we developed the **Benchmark Report** — to bring some science and structure to understanding what makes a great product manager.

Robyn Brooks | 08:35–10:10

Exactly. Each year, we collect insights from thousands of product managers across different industries and levels. The report highlights where professionals are thriving and where there’s room for growth. For me, it’s not just data — it’s a tool that helps me do my job better and support our community more effectively.

Strengths: Domain Knowledge, Communication, and Customer Understanding

Rina Alexin | 08:35–12:10

Let’s start with the positives — the top three strengths that consistently show up in the data are **domain knowledge**, **communication**, and **customer understanding**.

Robyn Brooks | 12:10–15:42

That resonates completely. Many product managers come from inside their industries — they’ve *been* the customer. That gives them empathy and an edge in understanding real-world needs. Domain expertise is often what sets early PMs up for success before they even realize they’re doing product management.

The Challenges of Transitioning into Product Roles

Robyn Brooks | 15:42–19:20

When I transitioned into product management, I had strong soft skills from teaching, but I lacked the technical foundation. So I dove in — learned basic JavaScript just enough to talk meaningfully with developers — and focused on **translating technical speak into business terms**. That skill of translation became my superpower.

Weaknesses: Competitive Analysis, Pricing, and End-of-Life Skills

Rina Alexin | 22:45–27:30

Every report also identifies areas for growth. Year after year, **competitive analysis, pricing, and end-of-life** appear as the weakest skill dimensions.

Robyn Brooks | 27:30–32:50

That’s true — and I think part of it is exposure. Not every PM gets to lead a pricing strategy or sunset a product. Those are experiences that usually come with seniority, and you can’t fully understand end-of-life until you’ve lived it.

How Curiosity and Discovery Drive Skill Growth

Robyn Brooks | 32:50–37:40

If you’re managing legacy products, be curious. Get friendly with finance, analyze support costs, and make a case for whether the product still delivers value. It takes courage — but that’s how you build experience and prove strategic thinking.

Building Process and Structure for Product Maturity

Rina Alexin | 37:40–42:00

That connects to process — our report also shows that PMs who work within structured frameworks perform better across the board.

Robyn Brooks | 42:00–47:25

Absolutely. Process gives teams alignment and predictability. Even if your organization doesn’t have formal product frameworks, you can start small — document your workflows, share templates, and communicate the “why” behind your approach. That transparency builds trust and credibility.

Moving from Individual Contributor to Product Leader

Robyn Brooks | 52:50–58:30

Leadership often comes from taking on tough projects — the “grenades” that no one else wants. When you take ownership, align stakeholders, and deliver results, you naturally build a reputation as someone who can lead.

Advice for Aspiring Product Managers

Robyn Brooks | 01:03:40–01:07:10

Product management is a broad, rewarding discipline. You don’t have to master every skill, but you should know where your strengths and growth areas lie. Take assessments, seek mentorship, and build intentional experiences.

Closing Thoughts and How to Connect with Robyn

Rina Alexin | 01:07:10–End

Robyn, thank you for joining and sharing your wisdom.

Robyn Brooks | End

Thank you, Rina! This was such a fun conversation. You can find me on **LinkedIn** — I love connecting with product managers and hearing their stories.