# PM Ownership
> Distilled from [[Things a PM owns]]
## When to use
Activate when clarifying PM scope, onboarding new PMs, or establishing what documents and activities a PM is responsible for.
## Core principle
PMs capture ideas and turn them into results. This requires writing docs that synthesize work, align the team, and connect with users and customers.
## Standard doc structure
Every PM document should include:
1. **Objective** — what are we trying to achieve
2. **Risks** — what could go wrong
3. **FAQ** — open questions with answers as they emerge
4. **Status & Meeting Notes** — running record of decisions
## Product requirements / launch docs
Avoid traditional PRDs as single-source-of-truth documents — they get cluttered and unmanageable. Instead, use Ash Maurya's Lean Stack model:
- **Vision** — succinct statement of why the product should exist
- **Product** — problem, solution, key metrics, cost structures
- **Market** — landscape with customers and competitors, unfair advantage, channels, revenue
- **Unique value proposition**
- **Plan/timeline** — milestones that start learning with live users ASAP
- **Risks & mitigation**
Doc structure: (1) TLDR/Executive Summary, (2) Approval/LGTM table, (3) Go-To-Market, (4) Appendix with people and references.
## 1:1s and team check-ins
Use the 5P structure:
1. **People** — always start here. Sets the tone that people are the priority.
2. **Pipeline** (customers)
3. **Product**
4. **Partners**
5. **Planning**
## Pro forma P&L
Maintain a simple P&L even for internal products. Account for revenue and costs to answer: what is your team's marginal contribution to the overall business?
## Actions
- When a PM says "I wrote a PRD," ask: does it follow the Lean Stack model? Does it have a clear vision, risks, and plan?
- When onboarding a PM, walk through these ownership areas to set expectations.
- Ensure every recurring meeting has a standing structure (5P for 1:1s).