Developing Product Sense

Developing product sense

September 25, 2024

After decades studying and building products, I've learned that great product sense is both an art and a craft. In this post, I'll share my journey and the strategies I've found most effective for developing this crucial skill. Whether you're just starting out or looking to sharpen your expertise, I hope these insights will help guide your path in product development.

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My Journey: From Curious Kid to Product Leader

My journey in building product sense began long before I knew what a product manager was. It started with a Hewlett Packard computer in my first-grade bedroom and that unforgettable sound of a 14.4k modem connecting to the internet. From that moment, I was hooked on technology and the endless possibilities it presented.

As a kid, I found myself naturally drawn to exploring and mastering every piece of software I could get my hands on. I built websites with tools like FrontPage, created logos and edited images in Photoshop, and spent countless hours tinkering with various applications. Little did I know, this curiosity was laying the foundation for my future career.

When mobile apps exploded onto the scene in the late 2000s, my tinkering took on a new form. I began downloading every app I could find, not just to use them, but to understand them. I filled notebooks with sketches of user interfaces and created folders full of screenshots, trying to deconstruct how these apps worked and why certain design decisions were made.

My formal education in architecture unexpectedly contributed to my product sense. It taught me to think about user experiences in physical spaces, which translated surprisingly well to digital products. Reading "The Design of Everyday Things" was a pivotal moment, helping me see the universal principles underlying all good design.

As I entered the professional world, my product sense accelerated dramatically. Working alongside brilliant designers and product visionaries at companies like URX, Pinterest, Aesthetic and Clubhouse exposed me to new ways of thinking about products. Each experience added new layers to my understanding and approach.

Today, as I lead product teams at Canva, I realize that building product sense is a never-ending journey. I'm still that curious kid at heart, constantly exploring new technologies, analyzing products, and seeking to understand user needs. The difference is that now I have the privilege of applying these skills to create products that impact millions of users worldwide.

Throughout this journey, I've developed strategies and insights that have helped me continually refine my product sense. In the following sections, I'll share these learnings, hoping they'll be as valuable to you as they have been to me.

Understanding Product Sense

At its core, product sense is the ability to understand user needs, identify opportunities for innovation, and create intuitive, effective solutions. It's a combination of analytical thinking, creativity, and a deep understanding of technology and human behavior.

Early Foundations: Embrace Technology

Many successful product managers start building their product sense early, often without realizing it. Here are some ways to lay the foundation:

  1. Explore widely: Use a variety of apps, websites, and software tools. Don't just use them passively; analyze how they work and why certain features are designed the way they are.
  2. Create and experiment: Use technology as a tool for creative expression. Whether it's building websites, editing images, or creating presentations, hands-on experience helps develop an intuitive understanding of user interfaces and experiences.
  3. Stay curious: Keep up with technological trends and new product launches. Understanding the evolution of technology and product design is crucial for developing product sense.

The Tinkerer's Mindset: Deconstruct and Analyze

Developing a tinkerer's mindset can significantly enhance your product sense:

  1. Break down apps and websites: Analyze how different products approach common elements like search bars, menu selections, or notification systems.
  2. Document your observations: Keep screenshots, sketches, or notes about interesting design elements or user flows you encounter.
  3. Question design decisions: Ask yourself why certain features are designed in specific ways. What problems are they solving? How effective are they?

Broadening Horizons: Look Beyond Software

Product sense isn't limited to software. Expanding your perspective can provide valuable insights:

  1. Study other disciplines: Fields like architecture, psychology, or even biology can offer fresh perspectives on design and user behavior.
  2. Analyze physical products: The principles of good design apply to physical objects too. I read lots of design books from a wide variety of disciplines and learned to think critically about user experience problems
  3. Travel and observe: Different cultures solve problems in different ways. Observing these differences can inspire new approaches to product design.

Professional Growth: Learn from the Best

Working with great teams and learning from industry leaders can accelerate the development of your product sense:

  1. Seek out mentors: Look for experienced product managers or designers who can provide guidance and share their insights.
  2. Collaborate across disciplines: Work closely with designers, engineers, and other stakeholders. Understanding their perspectives will enhance your product thinking.
  3. Study successful products: Analyze market-leading products in detail. What makes them successful? How do they solve user problems?

Continuous Learning: Single and Multiplayer Modes

Building product sense is an ongoing journey that combines individual effort and collaborative learning:

  1. Single-player mode:
    • Regularly analyze new products and features
    • Practice sketching ideas and user flows
    • Build mental models of how interfaces work
    • Develop and refine your taste in product design
  2. Multiplayer mode:
    • Engage in product discussions with colleagues
    • Participate in design critiques and brainstorming sessions
    • Seek feedback on your ideas and analyses
  3. Stay informed:
    • Listen to product-focused podcasts
    • Read books on design, business, and technology
    • Follow industry blogs and thought leaders

Practical Exercises for Building Product Sense

  1. Feature breakdown: Choose a popular app and list all its features. Then, try to prioritize these features based on their likely importance to users.
  2. Redesign challenge: Take a familiar product and reimagine one of its key features. How would you improve it?
  3. User journey mapping: Pick a common task (like ordering food online) and map out the ideal user journey. Compare your map with existing solutions.
  4. Trend analysis: Identify emerging trends in technology or user behavior. How might these trends impact product design in your industry?

Conclusion

Building product sense is a lifelong journey that combines curiosity, analysis, creativity, and continuous learning. It's not about reaching a fixed destination, but about constantly refining your craft and adapting to new technologies and user needs.

Remember, everyone starts somewhere. The key is to begin actively thinking about the products you use, questioning design decisions, and constantly seeking to understand user needs and behaviors. Whether you're just starting your career or have years of experience, there's always room to grow and improve your product sense.

Start your journey today, and never stop exploring the fascinating world of product development. Your future users will thank you for it.