Maxime Bollengier retweetledi
Most of the product managers (and founders) i've spoken to don't know:
The difference between building products and completing projects?
The answer is not straight forward, so I don't blame them entirely.
But here is a short guide that will help you conclusively and easily differentiate the two.
First: what is the difference 🤔
Products:
- Are user-centric
- Have a long-term vision
- Don't always have an end
- Are continuously evolving ♾
Projects:
- Have short-term goals
- Have set of clear deliverables
- Always have a clear endpoint
- Like a straight road; with clear start/stop 🛣️
Second: why is it important to differentiate:
It is important to know which one you're doing.
That information, often, shapes your thinking, planning, and execution.
Once you know which you're working on , you will go in the right direction, create required focus, and allocate resources accordingly.
Not knowing the difference might lead to disastrous mistakes:
1️⃣ An outcome vs output approach:
Projects are focused on outputs. Products on outcomes.
Both need a different skillset and mindset. If you don't know which you're doing, you will not be able to create a winning plan.
2️⃣ It is about the user:
Products focus on user needs. User needs keep evolving and changing. Hence, products need to keep evolving over time.
Projects do not focus on external users. Instead, they focus on delivery of output, which does (read: should not) change during the duration of the project.
It is important to focus on the right aspect, and hence knowing which is which is important.
3️⃣ Time horizons:
Projects have a fixed timeline. Products don't.
Mistaking a product with a project (or vice versa) will lead you to approach it wrongly and make you focus on the wrong things.
Third: how to easily differentiate one from another 🔎
Ask the following questions
1️⃣ What is the end goal:
If the end goal is a specific deliverable and a date, It is a project.
If the end goal is solving a user need and making the user happy, it is a product.
2️⃣ What kind of feedback loops are there?
If there's a continuous feedback loop leading to iterations, it's likely a product.
If there is no or limited feedback until completion, it is a project.
3️⃣ What is the time Horizon?
Products have a longer time horizon with a focus on continuous improvement and growth.
Projects are more about achieving a certain result within a set amount of time.
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As PMs and founders, understanding the difference between products and projects is crucial for long-term success and user satisfaction.
While approaching products, always keep the end-user in mind. And you'll be on the right track.
How do you define projects and products in your teams?
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