[brownegg]

How about none of the above? Directly to the CEO is the only thing that makes sense. And the CEO had better be focused on Product (or Service) Management above all else, and all those other things should report INTO the PM organization.

Engineering? Implementation of PM strategy.

Marketing? Communicating the PM message.

Sales? Delivering the product spec'd and built by PM.

Etc....

[marcusf]

Agreed that a VP of PM (or whatever title) should report directly to CEO, though having engineering report to CEO directly as well makes sense. As a PM, I've always felt that the tension between PM and engineering is a good thing. It leads to some healthy conflicts instead of hierarchical subservience.

Though marketing reporting into a PM organisation sounds like a fantastic idea... :-)