For two years as a Product Manager at Wise, I focused on financial infrastructure, tackling everything from ledgering to automation. My biggest lesson? Projects have a start and an end, but the best ones serve an evolving vision. I want to share a few insights on how I turn a vague idea into a project that delivers real value.
The Power of a Clear Vision
Sometimes a project’s vision is handed to you; other times, you have to build it yourself. When I took on manual journaling—a process that was high-risk and time-consuming—I started with a simple vision: a future where the process was automated, errors were flagged automatically, and people only had to review.
From there, we reverse-engineered a roadmap. This isn’t just about strategy; it’s about execution. We used data to define the problem, talked with users to understand their needs, and brought engineers and analysts together to build a solution, one iteration at a time. The vision is the compass, but execution is what makes the journey real.
The Challenge of Clarity
Whether you’re managing a product or a project, the core challenge is always the same: clarity.
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Clarity of “Why”: Knowing where you’re going and why it matters is your anchor. This is what helps you make tough decisions and stay on track.
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Clarity of “How”: You need a clear plan of what needs to be done to get there. When the “why” and “how” are fuzzy, everything else becomes a struggle.
This is a core element of my Strategic Project & Product Management approach: bringing clarity to complex initiatives.
From Failure to Impact
I’ve learned that if you want to make real progress, you have to embrace failure. Try things, get them wrong, learn from it, and try again. And remember, it’s about leading people, not just timelines. Inspire them, support them, and help them understand the vision.
The real impact of a project isn’t just about hitting a deadline. Automating a task like manual journaling doesn’t just reduce errors; it reduces stress and gives people time back. That’s the value that truly matters.
Ultimately, the medal belongs to the people who built it, not just the one who led it. A great project manager creates an environment where a team can do their best work and feel proud of the difference they’ve made.
Ready to Turn Your Vision into Value?
If you have a great idea that needs a clear roadmap, or a messy process that needs a bit of clarity and structure, I’d love to chat. Let’s connect and build a plan to make it happen.