From Qubits to Customers

Quantum computing has long lived in the realm of the abstract—fascinating to physicists, elusive to most others. But as research labs make breakthroughs and startups begin building quantum-enhanced solutions, one question keeps rising to the surface: how do we turn this into something useful? For Todd Kassal, a passionate advocate at the crossroads of quantum computing and product management, the answer lies in a rarely discussed ingredient—translation.

Not linguistic translation, but translational thinking: the ability to bridge the chasm between bleeding-edge science and product-market fit. While most discussions about quantum focus on hardware or mathematical breakthroughs, Todd Kassal believes the real bottleneck is a lack of applied strategy. “The tech is evolving,” he says, “but we need people who know how to turn that evolution into tools, apps, and experiences that actually matter to users.”

The Quantum Potential—and Its Limitations

Quantum computers operate in ways that defy classical intuition. They can encode vast amounts of data in quantum states, and process information through entanglement and superposition. In theory, this opens up unimaginable possibilities—from modeling molecules in chemistry to solving optimization problems in logistics.

But theory only gets you so far. In practice, current quantum systems are noisy, error-prone, and often not yet faster than classical machines. This complexity is precisely what makes product managers so critical to the next stage of development.

Kassal’s view is clear: “Quantum computing isn’t a silver bullet. It’s a specialized tool. Like any tool, its usefulness depends on the hands that guide it—and the problems it’s aimed at.”

Enter the Quantum Product Manager

So what does a product manager do in a quantum context? It’s not just about writing PRDs or tracking sprints. In Todd Kassal’s model, a quantum-savvy product manager does three things exceptionally well:

1. Map Complexity to Value – They understand the limits and advantages of quantum algorithms and identify where these can be applied meaningfully.

2. Communicate Across Worlds – They translate dense technical ideas into business outcomes that resonate with executives, investors, and end-users.

3. Shape Strategy Amid Uncertainty – They embrace the ambiguity of early-stage tech, prioritize experimentation, and align short-term product actions with long-term breakthroughs.

In essence, they don’t just manage products—they manage possibility.

Todd Kassal’s “Quantum-Led Thinking” Model

To help teams build smarter quantum products, Todd Kassal developed what he calls “Quantum-Led Thinking,” a framework that fuses scientific insight with product rigor. The model encourages teams to:

• Start with the customer, not the quantum: Begin by understanding the user’s pain point, then assess whether a quantum solution is the best route forward.

• Work backwards from impact: If a problem takes years to yield a measurable quantum advantage, it's likely not the right starting point.

• Prototype in layers: Build hybrids—classical interfaces with quantum backends—to ease users into quantum without overwhelming them with complexity.

This method allows companies to make meaningful progress while quantum hardware continues to mature in the background.

Building Products in a Non-Deterministic World

One of the biggest challenges in quantum computing is that results aren’t always deterministic. Unlike a traditional software output, which gives the same result each time, quantum outputs may vary slightly with each run due to the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics.

For most product teams, this feels like a nightmare. But Todd Kassal sees it as a design opportunity. “Instead of fighting uncertainty, embrace it,” he suggests. In fields like risk modeling, portfolio simulation, or materials science, probability isn’t a bug—it’s a feature. The role of product management is to guide how that randomness is visualized, contextualized, and used by customers to make smarter decisions.

Not Just for Scientists Anymore

A major part of Kassal’s mission is democratizing quantum. He frequently challenges the idea that quantum is “only for PhDs,” arguing that the field will never scale unless it becomes accessible to developers, designers, analysts, and yes—product managers.

To that end, Todd Kassal mentors PMs and technologists through bootcamps, webinars, and internal training sessions. He encourages teams to experiment with quantum SDKs like Qiskit or Pennylane, and to prototype workflows that abstract away the underlying physics. “You don’t need to master quantum mechanics,” he says. “You need to understand where it fits.”

His philosophy is simple: we don’t need more hype—we need more hands-on curiosity.

Conclusion: The Pragmatist in a Quantum World

Quantum computing might still be years away from mainstream use, but the groundwork is being laid today. That groundwork doesn’t just require scientists and engineers—it requires thoughtful builders who know how to guide emerging technologies from promise to product.

Todd Kassal is one of those builders. With a unique blend of technical insight and product intuition, he’s helping organizations cut through the fog and focus on what really matters: outcomes, not equations. His work shows that when you combine quantum theory with clear strategy and human-centered thinking, the impossible starts to look a lot more practical.

Because innovation isn’t just about inventing new tools. It’s about making sure those tools change lives.