IC Track
The individual contributor progression that parallels the management track.
Definition
The IC (individual contributor) track lets senior product-ops practitioners grow in scope and compensation without managing people. In a mature ladder, a Staff PO or Principal PO has equivalent levels and comp to a Director of PO. Product Ops functions benefit from a formal IC track because coordination expertise is valuable independent of people-management skill.
Frequently Asked Questions
The IC (individual contributor) track lets senior product-ops practitioners grow in scope and compensation without managing people. In a mature ladder, a Staff PO or Principal PO has equivalent levels and comp to a Director of PO. Product Ops functions benefit from a formal IC track because coordination expertise is valuable independent of people-management skill.
IC Track is also commonly called Individual Contributor Track, Senior IC Track. The terms are used interchangeably in most Product Operations contexts.
IC Track is part of the Product Operations vocabulary under the roles category. Product Ops leaders use this concept when running planning rituals, setting operating standards, and aligning cross-functional stakeholders.