Final answer:
Product managers are essential in the new product development process as they coordinate cross-functional teams and activities, communicate with customers, and conduct product training.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Product managers are most useful in the development of new products is True. Product managers play a key role in the new product development process by ensuring that cross-functional teams such as marketing, sales, and manufacturing work cooperatively. Their responsibilities extend to coordinating activities across various departments, including Printer development teams, strategic manufacturing sites, and they are often in communication with customers.
Being a part of these dynamic processes requires product managers to have strong coordination and leadership skills to manage product and application training for both internal personnel and external partners. Additionally, there is a demand for flexibility as product managers may need to travel up to 25% of the time to fulfill their roles effectively. Therefore, product managers are indeed crucial in new product development, serving as a linchpin that connects various segments of the organization and ensures the alignment of the product with the company's goals and customer needs.