The product development process encompasses all steps needed to take a product from concept to market availability. This includes identifying a market need, researching the competitive landscape, conceptualizing a solution, developing a product roadmap, building a minimum viable product, etc.
Because they are ultimately responsible for the success or failure of the company’s products, product managers typically drive the product development process from a strategic standpoint. But this process is not strictly a product management function. Product development requires the work and input of many teams across a business, including:
Product managers act as the strategic directors of the development process. They pull together the cross-functional team, communicate the big-picture goals and plans for the product (via the product roadmap), and oversee the team’s progress.