Share via

The “Product” Team

  • Article

Often times you will hear from Microsofties reference the “product team”. That term has different connotations and it really depends on the context it is being used. However, in general terms, when somebody talks about the “product team” they are most likely referring to the core “engineering” team that actually creates the product. Typical members of the product team are core Developers, Testers and Program Managers. If you are an ISV or an end customer, chances are you are probably dealing with a Program Manager (like myself) when he identified him/her self as a product team member.

That said, there are tons of savvy people that aren’t necessary on the core engineering team. People like field consultants, ISV evangelists, marketing, sales; they all usually have excellent knowledge of the product. Of course there is also MS support; they too have detailed knowledge of the product and will be the go to people for specific problems with the product; if a problem is serious enough and affects the “core” of the product it will likely get escalated to the engineering team. Other non Microsoft employees that know the product in deep are partners, MVPs (Most Valuable Professionals) and ISVs.

Ok, so what is the best strategy to get the “engineering team” hear what you have to say?

A: Just say it J… we are constantly monitoring all kinds of information sources, from blogs (your blogs) and newsgroups to individual emails, surveys and customer visits. Something that you can be 100% sure is that if you participate in a newsgroup or similar forum that is hosted by Microsoft, somebody from the product team is monitoring it… we take your feedback very seriously.

Comments