kritika 
As digital transformation continues, Singapore has emerging job opportunities including the GovTech and public sector technology landscape. As we move from services first and devices second, there is a growing need for professionals to be able to manage products and build evergreen and innovative solutions with the user and policy objectives in mind.
However, for a number of seasoned project managers, this transition is a perfect way to get started in product management without having to embark on a new career trajectory.
Why is Product Management Growing in GovTech?
While traditional project management is about completing projects on schedule and on budget, product management is about continually developing a product or digital solution to keep it relevant to users.
Among the various new roles for digital services within the Government of Singapore, GovTech product managers take on overall stewardship of digital services’ lifecycle, ranging from citizen problem identification to collaborating with engineers, designers and policy makers in order to enhance government platforms over time.
Skills Project Managers Already Have
Project managers already have many of the skills necessary in product management. Having worked across multiple teams and worked with stakeholders, developed risk assessment and risk management frameworks and delivered complex initiatives gives them a solid base to continue in their transition.
Communication, leadership, budgeting and strategic planning are still important skills that transfer nicely to product driven roles, especially as part of a large scale public sector digital service.
New Skills to Develop
The skills that are already valuable for managing products can be transferred but the budding product manager should acquire a few more ones.
These include user research, customer journey mapping, agile product development, data-driven decision making, product roadmapping and the recognition of digital metrics like user adoption and engagement. It’s also crucial that people observe design thinking and UX principles.
Understanding the GovTech Environment
As product managers in Singapore’s public sector, you face a very different landscape where public value and citizen outcomes are achieved as well as business performance is reflected.
It involves a delicate mix of innovation, regulatory adherence, cybersecurity, usability, and long-term sustainability, capable of delivering consistent digital services that scale up to millions of users.
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Career Opportunities
GovTech and Government agencies, as well as sectors such as healthcare, transport, education and digital identity platforms are seeing a growth in product management roles as Singapore invests more in Smart Nation initiatives.
The project delivery experts, who have product thinking abilities, are in a good position to pitch in the high impact project efforts.
FAQs
What are some skills to acquire as a project manager?
They should build their knowledge of user research, agile process, product roadmaps, data analysis, customer experience, and digital product strategy.
Is there a need to get certifications in the transition?
Although not required in all cases, having a course in agile product management, Scrum, design thinking or digital product strategy may bolster job applications.
Is Product Management in Singapore in growth?
Yes. Meanwhile, as Singapore furthers the cause of its “Smart Nation” plans, the need to hire proficient product managers in both the public and private sectors keeps escalating.
