LinkedIn is radically changing the way it develops new product management talent. The platform is ending its well known Associate Product Manager (APM) program, which for years was seen as the breeding ground for future leaders in product development. Instead, the company is adopting an approach centered around ‘full-stack builders’ professionals who are strategically, technically, and creatively responsible for building products from day one.
What does this mean for LinkedIn users?
First of all, this shift is likely to lead to faster and more aligned product development. Because the new teams are less dependent on hierarchy or narrowly defined roles, ideas can be translated into tangible features more quickly. As a result, user feedback will reach implementation stages faster, improving the platform more efficiently.
Moreover, this marks a clear signal that LinkedIn and perhaps other tech companies is placing greater value on broad skill sets over specialized roles. User experience becomes central to product development, resulting in more relevant features, faster updates, and better alignment with the needs of professionals.
For users, this not only means that the platform is becoming more technically agile, but also that your feedback and experience as a user can more quickly influence how LinkedIn evolves. A great step toward a platform that grows with its community.
