IIM Sambalpur launches Udbhavanam Event focused on Product Management

The Udbhavanam event at IIM Sambalpur signifies a pivotal step towards enhancing product management education and practices in India. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry, IIM Sambalpur is not only preparing future leaders but also shaping the landscape of product management to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur has launched the inaugural edition of Udbhavanam, an innovative event dedicated to the future of product management. This event marks a significant milestone as IIM Sambalpur becomes the first institution in India to establish a university chapter of the International Software Product Management Association (ISPMA).

Addressing the Demand for Product Management Expertise

The increasing significance of decision-making and design within software methodologies has driven the need for expertise in product management. A recent report from McKinsey & Company highlights this trend, prompting IIM Sambalpur to initiate the Udbhavanam event, which has led to the establishment of a Center of Excellence in collaboration with ISPMA. The theme of the event, “Future-Ready Products: Mastering Innovation in Product Management,” aims to foster discussions among experts, academicians, and industry leaders regarding rapid transformations in the field, driven by technological advancements and evolving consumer demands.

Director's Vision for Product Management

Professor Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director of IIM Sambalpur, emphasized the importance of India emerging as a hub for product management. He stated, “India is set to become the epicenter of product management, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship through platform-based models and cutting-edge technologies like AI.” He reiterated the institution’s commitment to transforming education and business ecosystems, addressing both local and global challenges while nurturing responsible leaders with entrepreneurial mindsets.

Keynote Insights from Global Leaders

The event featured prominent speakers, including Professor Hans-Bernd Kittlaus, Global Chair of ISPMA, who addressed the differences between platforms and products from a product manager's perspective. He remarked, “Platforms have evolved to become the core foundation for value creation across industries, and understanding how to leverage these platforms is critical for product managers.”

Transformative Power of AI

Sapna Grover, Partner Director and Product Manager at Microsoft, delivered a keynote on “Product Management in the Age of AI.” She shared her journey from DRDO to various startups, emphasizing AI's transformative potential across sectors. “AI is creating real value, and every company is integrating it into their products,” she noted, underlining the importance of responsible AI integration to drive innovation.

Workshops and Panel Discussions

The event also featured a workshop by Professor S. Sadagopan, Chairman of the ISPMA India Chapter, titled “SPM Essentials for Startups: From Vision to Execution.” He stressed that software is foundational to our future and that IIM Sambalpur's establishment of a student chapter of ISPMA places it on par with esteemed institutions globally.

Bridging Real and Virtual Integration

The panel discussion, “Bridging Real and Virtual: Strategies for Seamless Digital Integration,” brought together industry leaders such as Rahul Singh Babu, Senior Director at HighRadius, and Ankita Parihar, Entrepreneur at Utpan. The discussion centered on effective strategies for integrating digital solutions into traditional frameworks.

Evolving Roles of CIOs

The event concluded with a session titled “Perspective: Taskmaster to Trailblazer,” moderated by Abhijeet Bendigiri, Director of Product Management at Oracle. Panelists discussed the evolving role of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) as they transition from task-oriented managers to leaders who facilitate technological change and foster innovation in products.

The Udbhavanam event at IIM Sambalpur signifies a pivotal step towards enhancing product management education and practices in India. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry, IIM Sambalpur is not only preparing future leaders but also shaping the landscape of product management to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.

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