Sue Raisty - The Blog of Sue Raisty

Brewer's CAP Theorem for Non-Techies

Brewer’s CAP theorem explains the tradeoffs to storing and retrieving large quantities of data. It basically says that you can just pick 2 of the 3 following characteristics for your distributed data architecture: consistency, availability, and partition tolerance.

Analogies that Demystify NoSQL

I love it when a gnarly technical concept can be elegantly explained via a good analogy. In fact, I have found myself searching for these perfect analogies throughout my career. I’ve been working on NoSQL projects of late, and

What is Product Management? (the core, the over-extended, and the totally dysfunctional)

The expectations and responsibilities of Product Management are defined very differently from company to company, even within a tightly defined industry sector. But what are the core activities that every PM must take on?

What are your favorite products and why?

A favorite interview question for Product Managers is "What's your favorite product and why?" Here are some products I truly love. They either solve a major problem for me, actually deliver on their promises when their

I hate the term "Product Guy"

Seems like the title "product manager" is going out of fashion. I keep seeing PM types who are now introducing themselves as "the Product Guy." I can't stand this term. And I'm

Market interviews GONE BAD (with comics!)

Ever wonder why so many startup entrepreneurs put out misguided and doomed products, even after taking four steps toward an epiphany and reading the "Lean Startup"? Face Palm Alas, I have witnessed similar "attempts" at market

Keeping Your Startup CEO & CTO from Thrashing

Q: How are startup CEOs (and CTOs) like seagulls? A: They both fly by, swoop in, ruin your lunch, shit on you, and leave. Ahh, the Startup CEO and CTO. God bless 'em. The ones that are capable enough

How to Grovel Like the Best of Them

There's a book, called "On Apology" by Aaron Lazare. He's a guy who actually got a PhD in this stuff. Anyway, he lays out the steps for a proper apology: 1. Acknowledge your offense.

Quora: What do MIT admissions interviewers look for?

I used to interview applicants to MIT (undergrad), and the biggest things I looked for were...

Google, diversity, and sexist memos

Regarding the now famous Google memo situation... I have thoughts. Many, many, thoughts. And I'm going to tell you ALL about them. But never fear, I'll not rehash the "He's sexist" vs.

How California Public Schools Are Funded

Product Line Hoarding: Don't let this happen to you

I have recently become obsessed with the TV Show Hoarding: Buried Alive. If you are unfamiliar, it is a reality show that profiles people who hoard stuff -- tons of worthless artifacts and even unsanitary crap (literally crap! think rotten

Quora: What level of coding experience should a good product manager have?

My answer, originally published on Quora [http://www.quora.com/What-level-of-coding-experience-should-a-good-product-manager-have/answer/Sue-Raisty] . Q: What level of coding experience should a good product manager have? My Answer Caveat: I'm assuming we are talking about software products. In THEORY,

The Five Stages of Debugging

A guest post, from the point of view of an engineer, about the difficult emotional journey involved in tracking down a nasty, horrible, elusive, hard-to-reproduce bug.

Yay for Me!

I've been honored as follows! (And I live for the external validation! Seriously, I really do.) * Listed as one of "52 Women Making an Impact in Product Management" by the Product Management Feestival. * Listed by LevelUpPM

Quora: What Kellogg MBA classes have students found to be the most useful and why?

My answer, originally published on Quora. Q: What Kellogg MBA classes have students found to be the most useful and why? My Answer Here are the classes that have proven the most useful in my career as high tech product

Yes, Product Manager, you too can (help) acquire companies

Let's say that you're a junior-ish Product Manager. Your product is NOT killing it (not yet, anyway). You have stiff competition. Your product is missing key capabilities that the market demands -- perhaps because this technology

The Brain of a Tech Sales Rep - A Visual Guide

Behold, I have developed a visual guide to the inside of a Sales Rep's brain! Or more specifically, an Enterprise Software Sales Rep's brain, as viewed from Product Management. Please do not show to any sales

The (ahem) "Art" of Pricing

Originally published in 2010. Updated and republished in May, 2015. A reader asks: "Can you please enlighten me on the art of pricing?" At the risk of misinterpreting, I believe the reader is asking specifically about enterprise software,

A Dangerous Combination: Sales People and the External Product Roadmap

This is my youngest son. He's a total goober. Let's call him "J". J is probably going to be a sales person when he grows up. He is extroverted, charming, funny, naturally positive, and