AI tools like Cursor and Windsurf are getting smarter every day. The real question is: are you getting smarter? Stop asking AI to “build XYZ” and start guiding it like a pro. That’s why product management skills are crucial in today’s world of AI-driven development. Here’s Prajwal Tomar explaining it in detail 👇:
1/ AI tools are developers, not product managers. Most AI tools, like Cursor and Windsurf, are good at coding and execution, but they lack product management skills. If your prompts are unclear or unstructured, no matter how advanced the tool is, the end result will be poor.
2/ Think like a product manager. AI tools are like your development team. You can't just say, "Build me an app" and expect perfect results. You need to: - Break the task down into smaller steps. - Define core functionality. - Set a clear direction. This is exactly what a product manager does when leading a team.
3/ Why Product Management is the Ultimate AI Skill: Product Management teaches you to think in a structured way: - What is the goal? - What are the must-have features? - What is the user journey? These skills are invaluable when it comes to AI. Better planning = better results.
4. My experience as a developer: I've worked with both good and bad product managers. Under bad product managers, I've delivered incomplete or substandard products, wasting significant time and effort. AI behaves similarly. It's a good developer, but a poor product manager. Without clear guidance, it can go off track.
5/ The Advantages of PRDs: A product requirements document (PRD) is not only useful for teamwork but also a game-changer for AI. It outlines core features, defines the technology stack, and maps user flows. Once a solid PRD is in place, AI tools can be implemented almost flawlessly.
6. Not having a clear plan wastes resources. If you don’t have a well-thought-out plan, you’ll waste resources and time fixing mistakes. Starting with a clear structure will allow AI to deliver better results faster.
7/ Always test your AI's understanding. Don't let your AI start coding right away. Instead: - Have it outline its planned approach first. - Review the plan and adjust it as needed. This step can save hours of debugging later.
8. AI tools amplify your input. Tools like Cursor and Windsurf are multipliers. They amplify your input. Give them a clear plan, and they'll execute brilliantly. Give them confusing instructions, and you'll waste time fixing mistakes. The quality of your plan directly impacts the quality of their output.
Conclusion: AI is incredibly powerful, but its performance depends on the people who guide it. If you want AI to deliver exceptional results, start by mastering the fundamental skills of product management. What are your thoughts? Have product management skills helped you better use AI tools?
That’s all, originally written by @PrajwalTomar_ If you like this topic: 1.x.com/FinanceYF5/sta…) 2. Like + forward the first post below