WRITINGS
My Product Design Process
Jun 1, 2024
This is my product design process I’ve developed over the years. Every time I design or redesign a product, I’ll use different parts of this process depending on the needs of the product.
It’s important to note I typically work with a small team of developers on product teams. I’m usually the sole designer, and I’m active in research, strategy, and design. At a high level, this process is about: 1) building the right thing and 2) building the thing right. In Basecamp’s Shape Up terminology, it’s 1) shaping and 2) designing. In agile, it’s 1) product management and 2) product design.
This is how I cultivate products.
Learn by Writing & Researching
Story from User's Perspective
User Value
Jobs to Be Done Interviews
Business Value
Estimate Dollar Value
Context
Business Context
Technology Context
User Context
Constraints
Problem Space
Solution Space
Business Model
Define Success
Pre-Mortem
High Level Support/Maintenance Plan
Learn by Making & Dialoguing
User/Market/Expert Feedback Presentation
Information Architecture Model
Breadboard
Get Technical Input
Fat Marker Sketch
Wireframe
Pitch Bet
Why?
Why Now?
Risk/Reward in Terms of Convexity
Opportunity Costs
Knowns, Unknowns, and Known Unknowns
Time Commitment
2 Weeks?
6 Weeks?
Learn by Designing
Low-fi Prototype
User Feedback
Technical Feedback
Hi-fi Prototype
User Feedback
Learn by Building
Compile Implementation One-pager
Pattern Language
Breadboards
Prototypes
Sequencing
Rabbit Holes
Scope
No-gos
Definition of Success
Write User Stories
Collaborate with Engineers on Implementation
Negotiate Trade-offs
See Vision Through
Plan Release
Create Support Documentation/Resources
Articles
Videos
Create Communication/Rollout Plan
Release Timing
Support/Maintenance Plan
Create Product Marketing Pla
Learn by Releasing
Monitor Outcomes
Assess Success of Bet