PM mental models
Mental models are simple expressions of complex processes or relationships.
PM Mental Models
Mental models are powerful tools that help product managers navigate complex decisions and understand how systems work. They are simplified representations of reality that help us make sense of the world.
What Are Mental Models?
Mental models are frameworks for thinking. They help us understand how things work, predict outcomes, and make better decisions. For product managers, having a diverse toolkit of mental models is essential for success.
Key Mental Models for Product Managers
1. First Principles Thinking
2. Second-Order Thinking
3. Opportunity Cost
4. Inversion
5. Network Effects
Applying Mental Models
The key to using mental models effectively is to have a diverse set of them and to know when to apply each one. Different situations call for different models, and the best product managers are those who can quickly identify which mental model is most appropriate for the problem at hand.
Building Your Toolkit
Start by learning a few key mental models deeply. Practice applying them to real problems. Over time, expand your toolkit and develop the ability to combine multiple models for more complex situations.