Product management & ethics: Can it exist without it?
The simple answer to that question: no, it can’t. The job of the product manager is like the job of a doctor - our user needs us more than anything.
But we still have this major problem with so many people who are outside of tech seemingly worry about the ethics of the tech being created and sold to them. Are we truly upholding those standards to not have them worry?
Today, I want to delve into a topic that's becoming increasingly important in the world of product management: ethics. In an era of rapid technological advancement and ever-expanding digital landscapes, it's essential that we, as product managers, consider the ethical implications of our work. So, why exactly do our user requirements need to include ethics? Let's look at it a bit more closely.
Ethics in product management isn't just a buzzword – it's a fundamental aspect of creating products that truly serve and benefit society. From data privacy and security to algorithmic biases and social impact, the decisions we make as product managers can have far-reaching consequences. That's why it's crucial that we integrate ethics into every step of the product development process, starting with our user requirements.
Protecting User Privacy: One of the most pressing ethical considerations in product management is data privacy. As custodians of user data, we have a responsibility to ensure that it's handled ethically and transparently. This means being upfront with users about how their data will be used, giving them control over their privacy settings, and safeguarding their information from unauthorized access or misuse.
Avoiding Harm: Another key ethical principle is the duty to avoid harm. While our products may have positive intentions, they can also inadvertently cause harm if not carefully designed and implemented. This could include anything from perpetuating harmful stereotypes to exacerbating social inequalities. By including ethics in our user requirements, we can proactively identify and mitigate potential risks before they become problematic.
Promoting Fairness and Inclusion: Product managers have the power to shape the digital landscape and influence how resources are allocated and distributed. It's essential that we consider issues of fairness and inclusion in our user requirements, ensuring that our products are accessible to all users regardless of their background or identity. This could involve things like designing inclusive user interfaces, eliminating bias from algorithms, and actively seeking feedback from diverse user groups.
Fostering Transparency and Accountability: Finally, ethics in product management requires a commitment to transparency and accountability. Users have a right to know how our products work, why certain decisions were made, and what potential risks they may face. By including ethics in our user requirements, we can foster greater transparency and build trust with our users, ultimately leading to more ethical and responsible product development practices.
Implementing Ethical Design Principles: Ethical design principles, such as user empowerment, inclusivity, and sustainability, can guide product development towards more ethical outcomes. Exploring how to incorporate these principles into the design process and align them with user requirements can lead to products that are not only functional but also ethical by design.
Addressing Emerging Ethical Challenges: As technology continues to evolve, new ethical challenges are bound to arise. Discussing emerging trends such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and the internet of things, and their potential ethical implications for product management, can help prepare product managers to address these challenges proactively. Think about the current use of AI and why people are so afraid of it? As a PM in the AI space, this should be something you’re constantly looking at. Same with fintech and med-tech - thankfully, these other industries have a code of ethics they have to follow, but for us as PMs, our power is too large in other industries where we handle customer data that we need to make sure that we’re prioritizing not only good user experience, but one that is allowing users to feel real trust.
Learning from Ethical Failures: Ethical failures in product management, such as data breaches or discriminatory algorithms, are valuable learning opportunities for the industry. Analyzing real-world case studies of ethical failures and discussing the lessons learned can help product managers avoid similar pitfalls and prioritize ethics in their own work.
Advocating for Ethical Standards: Product managers have a unique opportunity to advocate for ethical standards within their organizations and across the industry. Discussing ways to collaborate with peers, industry associations, and regulatory bodies to establish and uphold ethical standards can contribute to a culture of ethical excellence in product management.
I try to talk about this a lot with the developer teams I’ve been working with because I am worried sometimes in the development process we cut corners to make specific things happen and because we’re a small team, it could lead to something overlooked. It’s something I’ll include in the PRD and my user stories now because I want my users to feel safe and like they can trust us while also having a user experience they will be more willing to follow.
Incorporating ethics into our user requirements isn't always easy – it requires thoughtful consideration, open dialogue, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. But the benefits far outweigh the challenges. By prioritizing ethics in our product management practices, we can create products that not only meet user needs but also uphold fundamental principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability.
