The best 35 Product Management books

Inspired describes the best practices of creating successful software products and explains the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them. The lessons are applicable in a range of product environments, from fledgling start-ups to large corporations.

Learn all about Scrum, the project management system that has revolutionized the technology industry. This is a uniquely adaptive, flexible system that allows teams to plan realistically and adjust their goals through constant feedback. By using Scrum, your team can improve their productivity (and the final result) without creating needless stress or working longer hours.

Start at the End (2019) provides a highly practical, step-by-step approach to designing products and services that make an impact on the world. Drawing on behavioral science, the process begins with a simple question: How do we want our potential consumers to act? It then works backward to figure out how to make that vision a reality. 

The Agile Leader (2018) explores how leaders can steer traditional organizations in the fast-paced digital world. These blinks show that agile working can help corporate teams to compete with start-ups, and to keep up with ever-changing customer expectations.

Radical Product Thinking (2021) lays out a step-by-step approach to developing game-changing products. Taking aim at the iteration-led approaches to product development that have become popular in recent years, it provides an inspiring, vision-driven alternative. 

The Business of Belonging (2021) explores how businesses can harness the power of online communities for the benefit of both themselves and their customers.

Self-Made Boss (2022) is a practical starter kit for anyone looking to start a small business. It’s packed with advice and case studies looking at small businesses from across the United States, with step-by-step instructions for turning your great idea into a successful business. 

Continuous Discovery Habits (2021) explores how product managers and designers can keep making a positive impact on their customers’ lives. It explores an optimal decision-making process for product teams, so that they can continue to improve their offerings. 

Learning Agile (2015) is a no-nonsense guide to an often misunderstood concept – agile. The reason for that misunderstanding is simple: all too often, agile is bandied about as a one-size-fits-all solution to every conceivable organizational difficulty. Longtime agile practitioners Andrew Stellman and Jennifer Greene don’t see it that way. For them, agile is a great tool, but you have to know how – and when and why – to use it. And that starts with getting a grasp on agile’s underlying principles. 

The Direct to Consumer Playbook (2022) takes a look at how some of the world’s top e-commerce brands got to where they are today. Through a series of inspiring interviews with DTC founders, you’ll discover stories of both failure and success – and be much better placed to build your own DTC company.

Empowered (2020) is a written master class that guides ordinary people to create extraordinary products. Discover how to create profitable products that consumers love!

How Big Things Get Done (2023) explores what it takes to make large-scale projects work. It tackles tough questions like why so many big projects fail, and what makes the ones that succeed stand out from the rest. With real-life success stories as well as cautionary tales, its lessons can be applied to projects of any size, shape, or form. 

Unreasonable Hospitality (2022) illustrates how surpassing expectations can take your service-based business to the next level. Through a collection of anecdotes and firsthand experiences, it imparts valuable insights into customer service, as well as employee management.

12 Months to $1 Million (2020) serves as your catalyst for creating a seven-figure business within just a year. By uncovering a mixture of pragmatic strategies and hard-earned wisdom, it places you, the aspiring entrepreneur, in the driving seat. Your journey to financial independence and business success starts here.

The Mythical Man-Month (1975) invites you into the intriguing world of software development. It stirs the pot of conventional wisdom, and introduces fresh perspectives on team dynamics, project timelines, and the very nature of software complexity. Prepare to see the tech realm with fresh eyes and a renewed perspective.

The Stakeholder Strategy (1998) provides a business case for building for transitioning from transactional, profit-maximizing models to a "Third Way" approach built on mutually beneficial partnerships across stakeholders. It makes the research-backed case that stakeholder-oriented companies leading with higher purpose outperform rivals in the long run, and offers a framework for building stronger and more impactful stakeholder relationships. 

Jobs to Be Done (2016) offers an up-to-date look at one of the most respected strategies for creating sought-after, innovative products. This methodology is laser-focused on customer research and understanding what they need in order to get jobs done.

Obviously Awesome (2019) is a guide on how to master the art of product positioning. It compiles insights and strategies from two decades of experience in B2B tech marketing, providing actionable advice for selling a product's unique attributes to the right audience. 

Competing Against Luck (2016) challenges you to rethink innovation and growth through what is known as the jobs to be done theory. This transformative concept invites you to understand on a deeper level why customers make the choices they do, thereby helping you shape how you develop and market your products or services. Dive into a world where success hinges not on luck but on a profound comprehension of your customer’s true needs and desires.

Management 3.0 (2010) shows you how to lead modern organizations as living systems rather than machines. You'll learn practical approaches to creating environments where teams naturally thrive and adapt, drawing from successful practices at companies like Microsoft, Spotify, and ING Bank. This fresh perspective transforms complexity from an obstacle into an advantage, helping you build organizations that grow stronger through continuous adaptation.

Wiring the Winning Organization (2023) delves into the art of transforming mundane workplaces into hubs of efficiency and innovation. It provides a practical three-part roadmap for leaders to rewire organizational dynamics and achieve exceptional success.

The Geek Way (2022) explores how modern tech giants construct organizational cultures that empower employees and accelerate results. It provides a blueprint for how leaders in any industry can transform sluggish bureaucracies into dynamic drivers of growth by implementing lessons from Silicon Valley.

Well-Designed (2014) is about the transformative power of empathy in product design. It explains how understanding and empathizing with users can lead to innovative and beloved products. The book offers practical advice on observing user behavior, understanding their needs, and creating products that resonate deeply with them.

A Cure for the Common Company (2023) delves into transforming traditional business environments into dynamic, health-centric workplaces. It emphasizes the importance of integrating well-being into corporate culture, outlining strategies for creating a more engaged, productive, and healthy workforce.

Going on Offense (2023) equips you with the strategies to transform your organization into a powerhouse of innovation. Dive into the stories of industry giants who dared to be different, and learn how to apply their bold approaches to your own challenges. Unleash your potential to lead change and drive your company toward a future of continuous growth and success.

Competing in the New World of Work (2021) unveils the concept of radical adaptability, a progressive method for companies to proactively anticipate and shape future changes, valuing human-centric approaches over traditional, conformist business models.

The 3.3 Rule (2020) offers a unique perspective on productivity and work-life balance. It presents the “3.3 Rule” – which advocates for working a maximum of three hours at a time, succeeded by breaks amounting to 30% of the work duration. This groundbreaking approach aims to rebuild conventional work patterns, fostering productivity and employee satisfaction.

The Friction Project (2024) unveils strategies for how to make organizations run smoothly, beginning with identifying sources of both beneficial and detrimental friction. It introduces tools to address common friction troubles, empowering leaders to navigate and optimize organizational dynamics.

SYSTEMology (2020) explores the critical importance of creating and implementing efficient systems in businesses to improve productivity and ensure consistency. It provides a step-by-step guide for business owners and managers to design processes that automate and streamline operations to reduce reliance on individual team members and enhance overall performance.

Remote Work Revolution (2021) unveils a roadmap for thriving in an era of virtual organizations, addressing the most pressing challenges facing remote teams and their managers. Drawing on evidence-based insights and practical strategies, this guide empowers leaders and employees to foster trust, productivity, and innovation in the digital workplace.

Escaping the Build Trap (2018) highlights how companies often become fixated on delivering features instead of addressing real customer problems, resulting in wasted resources and missed opportunities. It advocates for a shift toward a product-led approach, where the focus is on creating value and driving meaningful business outcomes. Through the strategies and frameworks presented, organizations can better align product development with customer needs and long-term company goals, fostering sustainable growth and innovation.

The Hive Mind at Work (2024) introduces a new model for organizational change, inspired by the collective intelligence and resilience of bees. It outlines nine laws for creating meaningful change, using the Hive LENS to help you harness group intelligence in your organization. This approach offers a fresh alternative to traditional change management methods.

Scaling Smart (2024) guides you to scale your business sustainably through a combination of expansion and efficiency. You’ll learn to establish a strong foundation, build an engaging company culture, and implement automation for lasting success. Change your growth approach and watch your business thrive.

The 80/20 CEO (2024) presents a comprehensive operating system for business leadership. It offers a strategic framework designed to help executives guide their organizations toward profitable growth, emphasizing efficiency in achieving business objectives.

A Year of Creativity (2024) shows how to bring more creativity and fresh ideas into professional life with practical strategies. It provides 52 weekly lessons to help spark innovation, improve teamwork, and tackle challenges in dynamic business environments. By encouraging a shift from routine methods to creative thinking, it inspires readers to create meaningful change and achieve lasting success.