75. The Great UX/PM Schism with Tom Drugan

Can Product Managers and UX Designers find common ground amidst the growing “turf war?”

This week, we chat with Tom Drugan, the only Product Manager and a partner at Slide UX in Austin, TX. Tom has a special view on the ongoing debate between Product Managers and UX Designers. As a product manager at a UX-focused agency, Tom has seen up close how important it is for these two roles to work together.

We look into the current situation, where economic issues and the growth of AI are bringing both new challenges and exciting chances. Tom gives a fair view, recognizing the concerns of both sides while also pointing out the great potential for product and UX to work well together.

As these roles evolve, Tom believes there could be a new kind of “conductor” role that blends product and UX. This role would involve turning user research into effective plans, checking the quality of AI results, and helping different teams work well together.

Topics:
• 01:07 – The PM-UX Debate
• 06:28 – The Antagonism Between PM and UX
• 09:13 – Blaming Authors and Influencers
• 13:50 – Product First and Product Led Growth
• 19:26 – The Current Landscape
• 26:11 – AI and the Future of PM and UX
• 35:02 – The Future of Product Management and UX
• 39:33 – The Convergence of Product Management and UX
• 47:00 – Risks and Opportunities for Product Managers and UX Designers
• 52:37 – The Importance of Service Design and Research
• 55:05 – Building Relationships Between Product Managers and UX Designers

Helpful Links:
• Connect with Tom on LinkedIn
• Slide UX

Tom Drugan
Partner at Slide UX

About Tom

Tom Drugan, with a career spanning over two decades in technology, has focused on Project and Product Management. His advocacy for user-centered design was sparked by the challenges he faced as an entrepreneur and was further reinforced at a startup that emphasized user testing. This experience led to a longstanding partnership with Slide UX, culminating in his role as a partner in 2022. At Slide UX, Tom is the sole Product Manager working alongside UX Designers, emphasizing the integration of product management and user experience to enhance product outcomes.

Connect with Tom on LinkedIn

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