Debunking Myths of Product Development
Developing new products is a challenge—managers constantly juggle tight schedules, budgets, and scarce resources. Many companies treat product development like manufacturing, relying on strict planning and efficiency measures. However, product development is a dynamic process, brimming with unpredictable variables. Misguided strategies often hinder innovation. Here’s a fresh look at six common myths and how to bust them for success.
Myth 1: Keep Everyone Busy to Maximize Efficiency
Reality: Overloading teams slows progress and harms quality.
When machines are maxed out, output is maximized, but when workers are maxed out, projects get stuck in queues. Why? because development is an inherently unpredictable process. Idle time isn’t the enemy—unrealistic workloads are. For example, Google is famous for their one day per week to work on whatever you like, and is a godsend to catch up on delays. Companies like this has realized people are not machines and maintain extra capacity, giving teams time to tackle delays and adapt flexibly.
Pro Tip: Avoid queues by scheduling teams at 85% capacity and visually tracking progress with tools like control boards.
Myth 2: Stick to The Plan for Success
Reality: Plans are hypotheses, not rigid rules.
Innovation thrives on change. Most development plans need constant updates as new insights emerge. Clinging to an original blueprint can blind teams to better opportunities. Like Walt Disney’s vision for Disneyland, the best outcomes stem from rethinking problems and staying adaptable.
Pro Tip: Treat plans as living documents—adapt as you learn.
Myth 3: Start Projects Early for Faster Delivery
Reality: Premature starts lead to delays and wasted resources.
Starting projects without full resources often results in half-finished work that gathers dust. Worse, assumptions about technology or markets may become obsolete by the time a project wraps up. Successful companies avoid this by tightly controlling the number of active projects and the number of team members on each team.
Pro Tip: Only launch a project when you can fully commit.
Myth 4: More Features Mean Happier Customers
Reality: Customers crave simplicity.
It’s tempting to pack products with features, but clutter often frustrates users. Apple’s elegant designs thrive because they prioritize simplicity over complexity and this is reflected not only in their user interface but their hardware design; the visual designs informs the user this is easy to use. By focusing on what truly matters, companies deliver a better experience. In a complex unpredictable world, easy predictable products becomes a value in themselves.
Pro Tip: Ask what features can be removed rather than added.
Myth 5: Get It Right The First Time
Reality: Iteration drives innovation.
You may have heard the term “Fail Fast, Fail Often”. There is profound wisdom in this phrase. Experience tells us demanding perfection stifles creativity. Iterative processes, like rapid prototyping and frequent testing, help uncover flaws early and cheaply and propells you from Proof of Concept to Prototyping to Minimal Viable Product faster. For example, Formula 1 teams like Redbull Racing make extended use of rapid prototyping tools like 3D printing to test parts quickly by learning from failures faster than their competitors.
Pro Tip: Embrace early failures—they pave the way for winning solutions.
By challenging these myths, companies can unleash creativity, streamline processes, and deliver better products faster. The key? Be flexible, prioritize simplicity, and let experimentation lead the way.