99: GovTech Product Management; a New Frontier of Innovation?

In this episode of the How to Succeed in Product Management Podcast, marketing professor Jeff Shulman and The Product Management Center advisory board member Soumeya Benghanem welcome Charles Stewart (Autodesk) and Keshav Vasudevan (Prepared) to talk about GovTech Product Management. GovTech Product Management represents an exciting frontier of innovation. While progress may seem slower due to regulations and bureaucracy, aspiring PMs have a unique chance to pioneer groundbreaking solutions and improve public services. Success in this field requires patience, a deep understanding of government motivations, and a passion for solving complex problems aligned with public service missions. With the right mindset and commitment, aspiring PMs can thrive, driving innovation and positive change in the public sector.   Disclaimer: All opinions of the speakers are their own.   What to Listen For: 00:00 Intro 01:12 Why is GovTech important? 07:45 Challenges in GovTech 11:34 Future of GovTech 13:43 Government as a customer vs. Working within the government 21:23 GovTech Insights for Aspiring PMs 26:16 When should a PM start working for the government: Earlier or later? 31:17 Best Practices for government procurement and innovative tech 38:55 The power of mindset in government 42:25 How to stay up to date on things relating to GovTech 46:49 Difference between consulting vs. product companies 49:41 Final thoughts