In today’s fast-paced world, user expectations evolve rapidly. Products that don’t provide clear, meaningful value will quickly lose relevance. High-performing teams must go beyond “building it right” and focus on building the right thing—products users genuinely care about.
1. Prioritize User Value
Great teams don’t just write code—they solve problems that matter to users. Building products that deliver value requires empathy, curiosity, and collaboration across all roles.
Engage with the 'why': Teams that actively understand the “why” behind a feature can create solutions that are practical, elegant, and impactful. Developers, product managers, and designers must work as partners to align their efforts around user goals.
Map user journeys: Go beyond basic use cases to explore the emotional and experiential layers of the user experience. User journeys help identify pain points and opportunities for improvement.
Example: For a user paying a utility bill, the steps might include logging in, navigating to their balance, and submitting a payment. But what if they just want to pay quickly using a saved account? Optimizing this journey could eliminate unnecessary steps and streamline the process, making it more user-friendly.
2. Build Minimum Lovable Products (MLPs)
The concept of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is foundational, but MVPs often focus on functionality over user delight. Instead, teams should aim to create Minimum Lovable Products (MLPs)—those that deliver immediate value while sparking enthusiasm.
Focus on essential features: Identify the most critical user needs and solve those first. For example, a feature that allows users to onboard easily may take priority over advanced customizations.
Delight from the start: Even a small product can win loyalty if it meets user expectations with care and polish.
Why MLPs matter: Building lovable products from the beginning ensures that early adopters become advocates. This approach not only validates the product’s concept but also creates a strong foundation for future enhancements.
3. Write Thin Vertical Stories
Thin verticals are stories that deliver a complete slice of functionality across all tiers (UI, logic, backend). They emphasize user-facing value over isolated technical layers.
Why thin verticals work:
Deliver value faster: Users and stakeholders see working features sooner, enabling quicker feedback.
Encourage collaboration: Teams work together on end-to-end solutions, fostering alignment.
Reduce risk: Breaking large features into smaller, testable pieces minimizes uncertainty.
Example: Instead of building a new feature by separately developing the UI, backend logic, and database changes, deliver a basic but functional version that integrates all three. This way, users can experience the feature, and the team can iterate based on real feedback.
4. Validate Value Through Regular Demos
Demos aren’t just a formality—they’re a chance to showcase progress, highlight value, and gather feedback.
Show the impact: Focus on how the feature solves a user problem or improves the experience.
Engage stakeholders: Use demos as an opportunity to validate assumptions, refine priorities, and align everyone on next steps.
Make it memorable: Even technical or infrastructure-heavy demos can be creative. For example, illustrating backend processes with a skit or visualization can help non-technical audiences understand the value.
5. Refine Value Post-Launch
The launch isn’t the finish line—it’s the start of a critical feedback loop. Real-world usage reveals insights that no focus group or beta test can provide.
Observe user behavior: Are users engaging with the product as expected? What surprises emerge from their actions?
Reprioritize based on insights: Identify new opportunities for value or deprioritize features that didn’t resonate.
Continuously improve: Use post-launch learnings to refine the product roadmap and create even greater value over time.
Example: After launching a mobile app update, analytics reveal that users are skipping a new feature in favor of an older, less efficient workflow. Investigate why, and adjust to make the new feature more intuitive or accessible.
Conclusion
Great teams don’t just follow best practices—they understand the principles behind them. By prioritizing user value, focusing on lovable products, and iterating based on real feedback, teams can build products that truly resonate.
A constant bias toward delivering value ensures clarity, alignment, and success for both users and businesses.
This is the way.
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