What is one responsibility of the Product Manager when connecting with the customer?

In the context of the role of a Product Manager within the SAFe framework, creating and communicating a compelling vision is a crucial responsibility when connecting with customers. This responsibility ensures that the Product Manager articulates a clear understanding of the product's purpose and how it addresses customer needs. By effectively sharing this vision, they align the team and stakeholders around a common goal, fostering engagement and motivation. This clarity helps guide product development and ensures that customer feedback is integrated into the product strategy, thus enhancing the overall customer experience and satisfaction.

While applying design thinking is important for developing solutions that meet customer needs, it is more of a methodology for problem-solving rather than a direct responsibility tied to connecting with the customer. Similarly, collaborating through the value stream and conducting primary and secondary research are essential activities but do not capture the essence of forging a deep connection with customers and engaging them around a shared vision of the product.