Digital Product Management
On-site in Tartu 31 July - 10 August 2023, NEW!
This course provides an introduction to digital product management. We begin with the business model of a digital product, discuss how to come up with ideas and innovate digital products, learn about customers’ needs via user research, manage requirements and work with the concept of MVP, how to do user testing, manage the product roadmap, manage risks, and discuss product metrics.
We combine theory, case studies, and a project assignment to learn about digital product management. Upon completing this course, you will know more about how to understand, analyze, and develop a business model for a digital product, become aware of the different stages in digital product management, and be introduced to the different aspects a digital product manager works with.
The course can be taken on-site. We have a lecture and discussions in the morning session. Afternoon sessions are dedicated to self-study and project work.
| Focus area: | Computer Science | Coordinating unit at UT |
Institute of Computer Science |
| Study Field: | Software Engineering, Innovation and Technology Management | Course Leader | Kateryna Kubrak, PhD student |
| Format | On-site in Tartu | Location | Tartu, Estonia |
| Course dates: | 31 July -10 August 2023 | Apply by: | 30 April 2023 |
| ECTS: | 3 | Fee: | 500 € |
| Study group | MA, advanced BA | Language | English |
Application is closed.
1-9 August 2023
All lectures start at 10:00 and finish by 13:00. Afternoons are dedicated to group work.
Tuesday, 1 August
- Introduction to Digital Product Management
- What is digital product management?
- What does a digital product manager do?
- Business Models I
- Value proposition canvas (customer segments, value proposition)
Wednesday, 2 August
- Business Models II
- Components of the business model canvas: key activities, key partners, key resources, channels, cost structure, revenue streams
Thursday, 3 August
- User Research & Ideation
- Why do user research?
- What methods of user research can be used to get insights into the product's potential users?
- How to come up with ideas for digital product features?
Friday, 4 August
- User Experience (UX)
- How to map the user's experience with a digital product?
- How to develop a digital product following UX heuristics and avoiding dark patterns?
- Requirements
- How to formulate the requirements for the digital product with user stories?
- How to formulate acceptance criteria for the user stories?
Monday, 7 August
- Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
- How can doing an MVP save time and money?
- What types of MVP can be used for a digital product?
- How to prioritize features that will be included in the MVP?
Tuesday, 8 August
- User Testing
- Why and how to do user testing?
- What methods of user testing can be used?
- Risk Management
- Why is it important to manage risks before the launch of the product?
- How to compose an actionable risk management document?
- Roadmap
- How to outline the development of the product in the future?
Tuesday, 9 August
- Metrics
- How to measure the success of the digital product with actionable product metrics?
Wednesday, 10 August
- Group project presentations.
The students will be divided into groups of 3-4 to work on a group project. The aim of the group work is to develop an idea for a digital product based on theoretical materials. The students will have a chance to choose one of three cases (traveling, financial, crowd-data) and develop a digital solution for it. The lecturers will be available for consultation during the week (times to be announced). The deliverable of the group work will be a presentation of the digital product that should contain the following:
- Basic business model canvas for the product
- User research plan
- Description of the features included in the minimum viable product
- 12-month roadmap for the digital product
- Risk management document
- (Optional) Visual wireframes or mockups of the digital product
Minimum number of participants: 10
- Online application form
- Motivation letter that includes answers to the following questions (1 page max):
- Why do you want to learn more about digital product management?
- What topic from the course schedule are you most interested in?
- How do you hope to use the knowledge in the future?
PS: Only complete applications including all annexes submitted by the deadline will be considered for selection.
Students completing the course will:
- Be able to understand, analyze, and develop a business model (using the business model canvas) for a digital product.
- Gain a basic understanding of how to successfully manage a digital product.
- Gain a good understanding of different disciplines related to digital product management (such as user experience, risk management, internal and external communications, road mapping, and release planning).
Two weeks prior to the start of the programme an information file will be sent to all participants. This file contains the daily schedule and relevant contact information of the programme managers.
Students are responsible for their travel, accommodation and travel insurance (visa arrangements if needed) from their home country to Tartu and back to their home country. It is recommended to visit the Tartu Welcome Centre website and arrival and housing section to find accommodation opportunities.
