- What is product thinking?
- Features of product thinking
- Why is product thinking important?
- Product mindest can help one build the right features for the right people
- Product Mindset
- Three steps to grow your Product Mindset
What is product thinking?
Product thinking is a problem-solving process that is used to identify real-time problems and systematically build solutions on a priority basis. The product thinking mindset helps in viewing the product as a whole rather than just focusing on the features of the product and also establishes a fruitful relationship between product management and other Software professionals that leads to stronger products. This is why product thinking is going to be the next big thing, So what are you waiting for check out this course on product management.
Features of product thinking
There are four features of product thinking:
- Problem validation
- Prioritisation
- Well-defined success
- Customer empathy
Why is product thinking important?
Product thinking is important as the next big thing to consider while building useful software. The product thinking model is developed in the following ways:
- Users’ needs
- Target audience
- Company perspectives
- Goal-reaching strategy
- Duration of A/B testing
Product mindest can help one build the right features for the right people
Product Mindset
Product thinking is crucial, here are some of the Top Ways to Develop a Product Thinking Mindset
- Think Like a Product Manager
- Include Design Thinking in your process
- Develop User Empathy
- Be the Solution
- Can-Do Attitude
- Step Out of the Comfort Zone
Think like a Product Manager
Product Managers think about the product, customers’ needs, and also about the competition.
Some of the essential skills that the product manager should possess are:
- Leadership
- Strong analytical skills
- Quality pursuit
- Growth mindset
- Technical skills
- Planning skills
- Communication skills
Tesla’s Design Thinking Approach: How Design Thinking worked for Tesla
Incorporate Design Thinking
A Software engineer may develop a highly efficient product that does not solve any use case. While a Product Manager can design an inefficient product that does solve a real use case. So we can conclude that it is important to solve the use case.
The Five Stages of Design Thinking
- Empathize—Research Your Users’ Needs.
- Define—State Your Users’ Needs and Problems.
- Ideate—Challenge Assumptions and Create Ideas.
- Prototype—Start to Create Solutions.
- Test—Try Your Solutions Out.
Develop User Empathy
In order to develop empathy, we need to listen, observe and read their behaviours, subtle indications, non-verbal expressions, body language, and environments.
8 Strategies to Develop Empathy
- Cultivate curiosity.
- Step out of your comfort zone.
- Receive feedback.
- Examine your biases.
- Walk in the shoes of others.
- Difficult, respectful conversations.
- Join a shared cause.
- Read widely.
Be a Solution
We need to be clear, succinct, accurate to be a part of the solution. Many software developers tend to escape from difficult scenarios. But product managers must convince them as to why they need to build up a solution. This deep reasoning behind ‘why’ we think we are right is very much important in the product mindset.
How To Be Part of The Solution
- Define the problem.
- Solve by testing and evaluating possible options.
- Finally, we arrive at the solution.
Can-Do Attitude
If you say that someone has a can-do attitude, you are confident and willing to deal with problems or new tasks, rather than complaining or giving up. Here are some of the ways to develop a can-do attitude for every product manager
- Develop a growth mindset.
- Accept and learn from your mistakes.
- Focus.
- Be mindful of your self-talk.
- Unlearn the learned helplessness.
- Change your locus of control.
Step Out of the Comfort Zone
Stepping out of our comfort zone essentially means that if we don’t engage in new experiences, we don’t gain new perspectives. And this still holds true today.
Below are five steps to get out of your comfort zone.
- Start Small.
- Ask for New Things.
- Get a Handle on Your Fears.
- Scare Yourself Daily.
- Be Curious.
Apart from this, Let’s take a look at three steps to grow your Product Mindset and create products your customers love.
Three steps to grow your Product Mindset
1. Identify the Problem
Discovery is the new way to solve problems
- Dive below the surface to understand the system that underlies the problem.
- Widen your focus.
- Define the boundaries of the problem.
- Identify causes, effects, and key stakeholders.
- Analyze future developments.
2. Value is what your customer is willing to pay for
Make your value proposition clear in all your communications. Ask customers why they buy from you, use feedback to boost your value proposition. Quantify your value with real data. Communicate the benefits of your service so customers can see the value.
How do you show you value your customers?
- Genuinely Thank Your Customers.
- Tell Them You’re Thinking Of Them.
- Be There For Them After The Sale Closed.
- Always Tell Them The Truth.
- Show You Are Acting On Their Feedback.
- Show Your Appreciation With A Handwritten Note.
3. Validate the Outcome
- Use A/B testing to find the best experience
- Use personalization to optimize for different audiences
- Leverage predictive personalization:
- Maximize business value and consumer satisfaction
- Adapt to consumer behavior
