The Role of Growth Engineering at Productboard: Significance, key skills, and responsibilities

Growth Engineering has become indispensable for companies aiming not only to survive but to flourish in this highly competitive modern business landscape. It harmonizes diverse talents, navigates uncertainties, unlocks untapped potential and helps businesses seamlessly adapt to change. 

We sat down with Stu Cavill, Senior Engineering Manager for Growth at Productboard, to talk about the significance of Growth Engineering, the differences between Growth Engineers and Product Engineers and the skills needed to successfully drive growth.   

Are you considering moving into Growth Engineering? Stu offers a lot of great insights about how Growth operates at Productboard, examining methodologies and the key roles on a Growth Engineering team.   

What is the significance of Growth Engineering?

Growth Engineering is the linchpin for business expansion. It focuses on creating sustainable growth loops that help boost user acquisition, engagement, and overall revenue. In an era where digital presence is synonymous with success, Growth Engineering is like the compass that’s guiding businesses through a landscape of constant evolution, ensuring they not only adapt but thrive.

To comprehend the magnitude of Growth Engineering’s impact, it’s crucial to recognize its role in establishing a business as a dynamic entity. Unlike traditional approaches that view a product as a static offering, Growth Engineering envisions a product as a living, evolving entity. It’s about cultivating a mindset that views growth not as an isolated goal but as an integral part of the business DNA.

 

Growth Engineer vs. Product Engineer – what are the differences?

While Growth Engineers and Product Engineers share a passion for innovation, their spheres of influence are what set them apart. Product Engineers are primarily concerned with constructing and refining core product features. They navigate the intricacies of design and functionality to make sure the product is user-friendly.

By comparison, Growth Engineers are more like strategic architects. They optimize user experiences, study user-centric data for meaning, experiment with acquisition channels, and fine-tune conversion funnels. While Product Engineers focus on the product’s core, Growth Engineers are responsible for user acquisition, retention, and overall business growth. Both roles contribute to a product’s success, but Growth Engineers specialize in driving growth beyond the product, shaping a comprehensive growth strategy.

What are the key roles on a Growth Engineering team?

A Growth Engineering team typically includes Product Analysts, Engineers, and Designers along with a Product Manager, and an Engineering Manager. 

Growth Engineers design and execute experiments, leveraging A/B testing and data analysis to optimize key metrics like user acquisition and retention. Their role extends beyond traditional development, focusing on continuous improvement and innovative strategies to propel business growth. Whereas other Engineers may focus on technical excellence, a Growth Engineer will look to implement the simplest thing possible to help validate or invalidate a hypothesis.

Product Analysts are the data detectives of the Growth Engineering team. They dive deep into user data, extracting valuable insights that inform strategic decisions. Their responsibilities include decoding user behavior patterns, monitoring key performance indicators, and providing actionable recommendations. Product Analysts bridge the gap between raw data and meaningful insights, contributing crucial information to the growth strategy.

Designers within the Growth Engineering team contribute to the visual and experiential aspects of growth initiatives. They collaborate with Growth Engineers to create user interfaces that improve the overall user experience and drive engagement. With A/B testing being a key way for assessing hypotheses, Designers will often provide several versions of their designs to gauge which one performs best.

What skills define a great growth engineer?

Analytical skills are so important for navigating complex data landscapes and uncovering growth opportunities. Growth Engineers aren’t just data consumers; they’re data interpreters, extracting meaningful insights that in turn lead to strategic decisions.

Creativity is equally crucial. Engineers must possess the ability to envision innovative solutions that go beyond traditional approaches. Whether it’s devising a unique user acquisition strategy or crafting compelling messaging, creativity is the driving force behind their success.

They also need to have a deep understanding of user behavior, anticipating their needs and preferences. This user-centric approach ensures that growth strategies align with user expectations, fostering long-term engagement and loyalty.

A top-tier Growth Engineer also needs to have a willingness to experiment and glean insights from failures. The dynamic nature of growth requires an environment where failures are viewed not as setbacks but as invaluable lessons. Engineers embrace a mindset that values experimentation, learning from every iteration to continuously refine strategies and tactics. 

With the likelihood of failure being ever present, it is vital that engineers move quickly to implement the simples solutions possible to help the business gain further insights into user needs.

What is the methodology of Growth Engineering?

At the heart of Growth Engineering lies a commitment to continuous experimentation. A/B testing, iterative prototyping, and data-driven decision-making are the foundation of this methodology. Growth Engineers closely analyze user feedback, monitor key performance indicators, and adapt strategies based on real-time insights. Each experiment – whether it succeeds or fails – contributes to the overall learning process, shaping future strategies and refining the growth engine.

Growth Engineering is an adaptive, dynamic process that evolves alongside user needs and market trends. It’s a constant journey of refinement, where each iteration brings the business closer to optimal growth.

 

 

Would you like to join us? 

If you’re looking for an exciting and complex tech initiative with a real-world impact, here’s your chance. Head over to our careers page, it could be the start of an amazing adventure, and we’d love to hear from you.