Product management for semiconductors

Keeping up with semiconductor industry demand

Semiconductor chips are essential to today’s technical innovation—powering everything from smartphones to server farms, cars to medical devices. And while it may seem like semiconductors are already everywhere, supporting a smarter, sustainable, and more connected world, there’s still opportunity for even more growth. Deloitte’s 2025 global semiconductor industry outlook states that the industry is on track to reaching global revenues of $1 trillion by the end of the decade.

The increase is fueled mainly by demand for generative artificial intelligence (AI), which requires high-performance processors, memories, and connectivity chips, and to some extent by the proliferation of smart internet-connected devices, which rely on low-power chips for edge devices and automotive semiconductors. 

With innovation, performance, energy, sustainability, and customer requirements all evolving so fast, getting such a massive array of products to market quickly and profitably isn’t easy. Disruptive business models, companies moving up the stack to provide system solutions, nontraditional competitors, and talent shortages add even more complexity to the mix. 

To maximize value in this environment, semiconductor companies need a disciplined product management approach that helps them make the right investments in the right products, from concept and launch to value delivery and retirement. 

The role of semiconductor product managers

The product manager plays a critical role at a semiconductor company, serving as both connector and translator for a diverse set of stakeholders. Product managers connect external market and customer needs with the internal product and technology strategy. They translate high-level corporate strategy into real-world portfolio strategy.

Strong product management requires mastery of key capabilities across the three major phases of the product life cycle: product strategy, product development, and in-market management. Each phase includes critical skills that semiconductor companies need to build the right things, build those things right, and deliver the right value. And as the end-to-end owner of the product, the product manager plays a crucial role in every phase. 

Phase 1: Product strategy. Are we building the right things? Key capabilities include voice of the customer (VoC) and ideation, portfolio management, and product strategy.

Phase 2: Product development. Are we building the things right? Key capabilities include R&D execution management, customer inputs, and pipeline management. 

Phase 3: In-market management. Are we delivering the right value? Key capabilities include product launch, value maximization, and ecosystem building and maintenance. 

Semi product management versus other sectors

In comparing key product management capabilities across different segments of the tech sector, we saw the semiconductor segment falling behind in two notable areas: portfolio management and R&D execution management. The resulting performance lag shows up as suboptimal portfolios, longer product development times, higher costs, and lower product development ROI. 

Semiconductor product managers face unique challenges, each of which raises an important question:

• Does each product or feature help end users meet their objectives, improve user experience, and drive measurable ROI? 
• What measurable checks and balances, and which governance processes, are needed to ensure appropriate investment and quality across the life cycle?
• Is there enough visibility into R&D execution that the business can respond promptly to market demand, changing customer needs, competitive landscape, quality and knowledge issues across the product portfolio?
• Are the right products delivered per plan, and are they monetized in line with projections? 

How Deloitte can help

No matter where you are in your product management journey, Deloitte’s product management and semiconductor industry specialists can help you. We have helped many semiconductor clients clarify product vision and strategy, refine processes, establish metrics, identify opportunities, fill in performance gaps, and create a roadmap for the future—all while improving ROI. 

Get in touch with our team to learn how a targeted approach to product management can help transform your semiconductor business.