Creating The Project Deliverables For Product Owners

Successful product delivery depends on meeting the customer’s expectations; bug-free code should be part of the package, but the first prize for the customer is what they asked for in the first place.

Where it all Starts

So how do we get the expected results? We need to apply the principles of new product development (NPD) in general, and then use a few specifics from Lean Startup theory. This starts with the idea for the new or improved product. This could be a simple “lightbulb” idea from one of the executives, or the output from a brainstorming workshop. In many organizations, this is enough to get the ball rolling, which is why there are so many product failures and a huge waste of money.

Getting Shot down in Flames

Before taking the product idea forward, it needs to be kicked around and tested for viability. Many of the criteria are financial, such as what return on investment (ROI) will there be and when, and what the CAPEX costs will be. The really important questions are about the target market for the product. There is a succinct saying “there is a gap in the market, but is there a market in the gap?”. As this is being written, there are mobile app developments being churned out that very few customers will bother to download: a case in point is an app that reminds you to renew an annual subscription (and there are plenty of them).

If the product idea was formulated in an innovation workshop, hopefully, they have also completed the viability checks. If the idea does not pass the criteria for success, it should be shelved right now. This does not mean it cannot be re-examined later; maybe current technology is just too primitive or expensive now; think of the special effects available to George Lucas for Star Wars in the 1970s.

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