Breaking Free from Product Team Anti-Patterns
As a child of the pre-digital era, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of technology. The world I grew up in is now seen as retro, with many of my childhood passions replaced by subscription services. For instance, I used to collect CDs and exchange them with friends, but now music is readily available on streaming platforms. Similarly, movie nights no longer involve trips to Blockbuster, but rather a few clicks on a streaming service.
This rapid evolution has brought about numerous opportunities, particularly in the realm of product teams. However, it also presents challenges, as teams often fall into anti-patterns that hinder efficiency and innovation. In this article, we’ll explore common mistakes product teams make and provide guidance on how to overcome them.
The State of Product Teams
Despite the rapid growth and innovation in various industries, many product teams still operate with a 1970s mindset. This is evident in the results of a survey I conducted among product teams in Western Europe, which revealed the following common anti-patterns:
- Output over outcome
- Opinions over evidence
- Prescriptive roadmaps over embracing the unknown
- Meeting deadlines over achieving goals
- Implementing solutions over solving problems
These anti-patterns are not unique to Western Europe; similar results were found in surveys conducted in the USA, Eastern Europe, and the UK.
Why Do These Anti-Patterns Exist?
There are several reasons why product teams fall into these anti-patterns. One primary reason is the lack of courage to challenge the status quo. People often resist change due to fear of the unknown, and it takes bravery to steer a team towards a new direction.
Evaluating the Status Quo
To overcome these anti-patterns, it’s essential to evaluate the current state of your product team. This involves recognizing the problems and their consequences, rather than simply accepting them as the norm. By doing so, you can begin to identify areas for improvement and develop strategies for change.
A Method for Transformation
One approach to transformation is to name the anti-patterns you see and ask your colleagues to rate them. This helps to create a sense of ownership and encourages the team to work together to address the issues. The next step is to experiment and measure the results, reflecting on what works and what doesn’t.
5 Common Product Management Mistakes (and How to Overcome Them)
Here are five common product management mistakes, along with strategies for overcoming them:
- Output over outcome: Focus on outcomes rather than outputs. Ask yourself what problem you’re trying to solve, and measure success based on the outcome.
- Opinions over evidence: Move away from opinions and towards evidence-based decision-making. Experiment and test assumptions to ensure that decisions are informed by data.
- Prescriptive roadmaps over embracing the unknown: Create roadmaps that set guardrails rather than dictating specific solutions. Leave room for creativity and experimentation.
- Meeting deadlines over achieving goals: Prioritize goals over deadlines. Ask yourself what you’re trying to achieve, and work backwards to create a plan that meets those goals.
- Implementing solutions over solving problems: Take the time to understand the problem you’re trying to solve. Ask questions and seek feedback to ensure that the solution addresses the root issue.
A Formula for Transformation
Transformation is an ongoing process that requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to learn. Here’s a formula for transformation:
- Recognize the problem and why you need to solve it.
- Choose one problem at a time, and focus on solving it.
- Experiment and measure the results.
- Reflect on what works and what doesn’t.
- Rinse and repeat.
By following this formula and addressing common product management mistakes, you can create a product team that is efficient, innovative, and focused on delivering real value.