So I was doing some research, but it seems still a bit unclear to me.

It seems producers are responsible for execution, while PMs are responsible for planning?

How do these roles generally define their boundaries?

Don't worry about a semantic difference. Tell the candidate what the job is (describe the duties). Every producer is different. Every project is different. Your producer will manage your project. Your project manager will produce your game.

The only reason there's a difference is because of different POVs. Some employers or investors want a “serious software” approach to things (so they have managers), and others want a “creative industry like the movies” approach (so they have directors and producers - but it's all the same thing). Are you serious-business, or are you crazy-creative? That'll tell you which title to use.

I'm guessing that the reason you're recruiting a project manager in HPC is that you really want somebody else to write your business plan for you. If the main duty of your new member is “create business plan,” that's neither a project manager nor a producer. That's a business advisor, and someone in marketing could also help.

We've actually been thinking of bringing on a pm for a little bit now. Specifically to oversee the production of one of our titles.

In the past, when we were just a mod, I served this function, but now that we have evolved and grown, some of the leadership want a PM to oversee the production of a title past prototype. Specifically focused on keeping that project team accountable.

Originally I was thinking of doing it myself, but after further reflection, It might not be the best use of my time and skills.

I have a big picture view of everything, and run the overall company, we need a person to get in the details.

And No, this person was not meant to help write a business plan, I am figuring it out with the help of my partners.

The point of this thread was just me asking if there is a substantive difference between one or the other, and if it matters.

GeneralJist said:
The point of this thread was just me asking if there is a substantive difference between one or the other, and if it matters.

So which title are you going to use?

As of now it's PM.

When they originally brought it up to me, I had a idea that a producer is something different but similar

All the Ads say PM. and the lead coder was specifically asking for a PM, so guess we will stick to that for now.

Upon reflection, I know if we were a funded company, and not Rev share I would likely just do it myself. But that separation of having a middle manager might be cleaner and easier in the long run. I can also tag team with this person. I'm also kind of a generalist, it would be good to get a PM specialist.

So you're going with the “functional” title. What if the person you bring on wants to be called “Producer”?

Hmm,

Well, I guess I'd just ask them to call themselves “project manager/ producer ”

@generaljist I stumbled over your question and I'm not sure if it is still relevant to you, but I asked myself a very similar question multiple times. I wrote on my blog about my findings and thought it could be interesting for you or other looking into this.

https://herndlbauer.com/blog/difference-between-product-managers-and-game-producers/