How did this Big 4 bank achieve alignment?
Upskilling Product Managers for one of Australia’s Big 4 banks.
The challenge: Upskill a group of product managers from various divisions and seniority levels on digital knowledge and product management best practice.
The outcome: Through the delivery of a custom-built nine week course, this group of product managers are now aligned around a shared language and understanding of core product management processes as well as best-practice digital knowledge in adjacent areas.
The bank has a wide variety of staff with the title of product manager. Some operationalise digital project delivery, others are more strategy oriented, and some operate in the product marketing space. These product managers work across various departments such as retail banking, commercial lending etc. Academy Xi was brought in to design and deliver a custom solution that would offer key learnings for all participants, while creating a shared language.
After a co-design process with the bank’s organising team, Academy Xi created a nine week program comprising eight half-day courses and a full-day final session. The first four sessions focused on essential digital skills including UX and software development fundamentals. The program then switched instructors and direction to focus on core product management tools and mindsets. These sessions kicked off with an external case study ‘circuit breaker’ session, and culminated in a full day product management project simulation based on a real business case study.
Over the course of the program, the group formed a bond with the instructors and each other. Participants were able to contribute their expertise in subject areas they were passionate about, and learn from others in areas that were new to them. The final case study simulation acted as the culmination of the program, and was very well received. Gamified simulations have been found to be excellent embedding and engagement mechanisms. Post-course survey feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants citing various new skill sets they planned to apply in their jobs.
Key outputs:
- Expanded knowledge of the product management roadmapping process
- Understanding of how to produce and leverage documentation
- Enhanced comprehension of the product life cycle
- Ability to apply learnings based on case study and simulation sessions