Posts tagged "Product Discovery"

The world of product development, much like the craft of storytelling, often sees two distinct approaches: the Architect and the Gardener. This mental model, originally used to describe writers, applies beautifully to how product managers, designers, and engineers approach building solutions. Understanding when to wear which hat is crucial for navigating the complexities of product development and delivering true value. The Architect's Blueprint An Architect approaches product development like building a house. They meticulously plan...

The Product Requirements Document (PRD), once a cornerstone of software development, has experienced a rollercoaster journey. From its origins in rigid waterfall methodologies to its perceived irrelevance in the era of agile, the term itself often elicits strong reactions. However, instead of discarding the concept entirely, the shift should be towards modernizing the PRD, transforming it from a static, exhaustive blueprint crafted by an "Architect" into a dynamic, adaptable tool that supports a "Gardener's" approach...

How do organizations truly foster a culture that drives innovation and delivers outstanding digital products? And what distinguishes teams that are genuinely agile from those merely performing "Agile" theater? Many companies adopt "Agile" methodologies, complete with jargon like "stories," "story points," "sprints," and "stand-ups". However, merely adhering to these ceremonies can lead to a state of "busyness" without true agility. This is the "Agile Industrial Complex" at play, where the tools and processes become the...

How do organizations truly foster a culture that drives innovation and delivers outstanding digital products? And what distinguishes truly empowered teams from those simply going through the motions? Organizational culture isn't merely what you say or think; it's what you do. It's defined by a group's collective habits and patterns. As a company grows, maintaining an aspirational culture becomes exponentially challenging, requiring continuous effort with each new employee cohort. Companies that successfully build and deliver...

When you're deeply involved in building products, whether you're dreaming up new features or refining existing ones, there's a sneaky little thing that can derail even the most well-intentioned efforts: confirmation bias. It’s a natural human tendency. You get an idea, you form a belief, and suddenly, your brain starts looking for evidence to prove you right. It's like putting on a special pair of glasses that only lets you see what confirms your existing...

When you're building a product, it's incredibly easy to get excited about the "how." You might visualize the sleek design, the cutting-edge technology, or the impressive list of features. But here's a secret that many successful product builders swear by: don't fall in love with your solution; fall in love with the problem. It sounds simple, right? Yet, it’s a profound shift in mindset that can make all the difference between a product that truly...

Alright, let's pick up where we left off. In the first part of our discussion on Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD), we unpacked what JTBD truly means – that customers "hire" products to make progress in their lives, moving from one situation to a better one. We also explored the "demand generators": the Push from dissatisfaction with the status quo and the Pull from the new solution's perceived ability to transform their lives. Now, in this second and...

Alright, let's dive into the core of truly understanding what makes products successful. This will be the first of two posts on Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD). In this part, we'll lay the groundwork for what JTBD is and explore the forces that generate demand for a product. In the second part, we'll delve into the forces that reduce demand, how to understand broader competition, and the critical role of systems thinking in applying JTBD effectively. --- Why...