Peter Papp: My endless curiosity, AI and its future role in product management

Let's start with a few personal questions: can you tell us how you got started in your career and what positions you held?

Oh, I could talk about this for hours, haha, but let's keep it short. I was 14 when my career took off unexpectedly. It all started when my classmate and I talked about game creation, as we sat in the park. Soon after, I discovered Sketchup, a 3D modeling program, and began exploring digital design. I was very motivated to expand my skills, and so I learned Cinema 4D (later 3ds Max), Photoshop, and ventured into animation and video production using Adobe After Effects. And then my first client came along— a local company that needed visual effects for an advertisement.

Throughout high school, I focused on graphics and digital media, honing my skills in website creation and programming. Even as a student, I had clients and projects lined up, leading me to continue freelancing for 10 years after graduation.

That's exciting! What motivated you to work your way through all these different job positions?

I would say it was a relentless curiosity that consistently drove me to understand how things worked. As a child, I enjoyed dismantling toys and constructing original creations from the pieces. When I stumbled upon 3D graphics, I was thrilled by the endless possibilities it offered. There were no missing screws or adapters to limit me. This fascinated me to no end.

You mentioned that you did freelancing for 10 years. How was it?

During my high school years, I already had my own clients, mostly interested in animated explainers. The fact that I had some income even as a student was pretty satisfying.

What I cherished most was the freedom I had. Not only could I work whenever I wanted (no strict 9-5 working hours) but I also had the autonomy to choose projects that genuinely interested me. This sense of independence was invaluable. When I completed my studies, I embarked on an entrepreneurial journey with a classmate. After working on several projects, I pondered whether this was the path I wanted to pursue indefinitely. Clients and projects tend to be transient in nature. It was then that I realized the need for my own product.

And did you develop your own product? Tell us more!

Yes! And not just 1! Together with my classmate, we developed an editorial system for websites, which proved to be quite successful. However, as a 19-year-old, I misjudged the financial aspects and ended up struggling to pay for rent and food. But as weird as it sounds, I took it as an opportunity for growth. I shifted gears and created animated mockups - encompassing complex 3D models and around 100 templates. And wow, was it a game-changer! Having no worries about money anymore gave me the freedom to expand my skills and work on meaningful projects.

So yeah, for me, freelancing meant a mix of client projects and my own products.

How did you end up working in Sudolabs?

Jano Koscelanský found me on LinkedIn, intrigued by software I’ve designed and developed, Optiomat (it automates employee stock option plans, saving companies time and money), and he offered me the opportunity to work with Silicon Valley startups at Sudolabs. Freelancing was very rewarding, but I craved a change. So I decided to join the team and immerse myself in product development from a business perspective. And here I am today!

You work as a Product Manager in Sudolabs. What does your job entail?

In a nutshell, you can think of me as the captain of a ship. I guide the entire team towards a successful journey to our destination. There is quite a diverse crew on board. Our team includes designers, engineers, tech leads, and representatives from our clients. My main role is to keep everyone on the same page and motivated throughout the project.

Usually, designers start by creating drafts, wireframes, and fancy high-fidelity designs. Once they're done, I hand them over to the technical team. I make sure that the engineers bring those designs to life exactly as intended, staying true to the original vision.

But it doesn't stop there. I also work closely with the product owner to tackle any operational issues that may arise. I also fully grasp the business requirements for each product. It's all about ensuring that everything we create aligns perfectly with our goals.

Validating the outputs and navigating through the whole process smoothly keeps me busy every day.

Can you share an example of a successful product launch you have been a part of?

Well, you know, when it comes to measuring product success, having clear metrics is absolutely essential. Here, I'd like to mention Tome, one of Sudolabs' successful projects. It's this groundbreaking law tech company that's all about taking those super complicated contracts and turning them into simple, actionable summaries. It has been an incredibly dynamic journey, characterized by ongoing and frequent communication with the client and their team right from the start. We built an innovative internal platform that gave the company's legal team the power to manage and fix their outputs easily.

When this project started, our primary goal was to understand the specific problem they were facing. We wanted to come up with a solution that could effectively enhance their daily operations and validate outcomes.

During an intensive 2 week product discovery phase, which involved numerous prototype iterations, we swiftly developed a comprehensive platform proposal. And thanks to our rapid development process we launched the first version in just 4 weeks! The Tome team immediately found immense value in the internally developed platform, and they started using it from day one.

One thing that really inspired us was Stephen Trusheim, the founder of Tome, celebrating every challenge the whole team overcame. His enthusiasm motivated us to add a touch to the platform—a confetti feature that triggers a celebration whenever a successful action is completed. We know that US startup founders pay attention to small details, and the Tome team was really excited about this extra feature.

How do you determine which features should be prioritized when developing a new product? Do you use any specific frameworks or methodologies?

Sure, let me break it down for you. I follow the Pareto Rule 80/20 when prioritizing features. In the beginning, I gather a wish list of features based on user feedback. It's key to distinguish whether it's a new product with validated assumptions through user research or an existing product where users themselves express their desired features.

Next, I carefully evaluate each feature on the list, considering its potential impact. I find it helpful to use a scale from 1 to 10 to assess impact. This assessment takes into account factors like the number of users the feature would serve and its potential impact on revenues. Additionally, I estimate the time and effort required to develop each feature.

Then comes the fun part. I prioritize the list based on the impact/effort ratio. So, the most impactful features with the least effort get top priority. I typically focus on the top 20% of features to maximize results.

But here's the thing: the product landscape is constantly changing. User needs evolve, and new features emerge. That's why I advocate reassessing priorities every 2-3 months. It helps us stay in tune with our users and deliver user-centric products.

AI tools are booming nowadays. Do you use it regularly at work? Is there any you've found particularly effective?

Every day! I guess I don't need to introduce ChatGPT haha. But, I upgraded it to my own customized version with more functionalities (called TalkinBrain). It has become my go-to tool for tasks like text corrections, brainstorming ideas for feature proposals, and conducting research on different frameworks. It's incredibly handy.

Another great AI tool is OpenAI's code interpreter. This tool is like having my own data analyst. It helps me make data-driven decisions by providing valuable insights and analysis based on the information I feed it. It's a game-changer when making informed choices.

To brainstorm visual elements like images and graphics for landing pages, I turn to a tool called Midjourney. It helps me generate captivating visuals that align with desired aesthetics and themes. It's an excellent resource for enhancing design and user experience.

Lastly, I must mention Locofy. It converts Figma designs into working code that I can use immediately. This is particularly useful when creating landing pages or small applications. It streamlines the development process and eliminates the need for manually coding every element, allowing for more efficient and productive work.

Do you think AI will play a role in product management in the future?

Absolutely! Its potential to assist product managers is remarkable.

AI can revolutionize idea generation. With AI tools, product managers can tap into a vast array of functionalities and problem-solving techniques that can be implemented into their product development process. It's like having your own "copilot" guiding you along the way. It can be an incredible resource for generating new ideas and improving your product.

Another exciting application is improved prototyping. Just think about it—being able to generate wireframes with a simple command. No need for dedicated designers. You specify the tasks, and there you go! AI generates wireframes quickly. This streamlined process makes prototyping more efficient, saving time and resources.

But I guess there's more. For example, AI has the potential to revolutionize code generation as well. Picture this: as a product manager, you submit a ticket to implement certain features or functionalities, and your own automated developer takes care of it. It only takes a final check from the tech lead. It's like having your personal coding assistant at your fingertips, making development faster and easier.

AI truly transforms how product managers work, unleashing new levels of creativity, efficiency, and collaboration.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Every time I go to the cinema, I buy a packet of watermelon jelly with sour sugar on the top. Haha, if I don't have this while watching, I'm unhappy.