Three years ago, I decided to only work with fucked up products that have a bunch of problems, no profit or something disgusting going on with it. The reason was simple: I knew how to do it "right". But I didn't know how deep the rabbit hole could be when it comes to super-unsuccessful products. That said, it wasn't enough for me to know by hearsay. I wanted to be in the middle of the shitstorm.
I wanted to understand why products get fucked up. Moreover, I wanted to find products that were dead before they even hit the market. And my pleas were heard (about 39 times).
And now, I can share with you with my experience. So, here is my top reasons, why your product may die.
1. Solving Nonexistent Problems
One of the biggest blunders is developing a product that doesn't solve any problem in the marketplace. It may sound absurd, but many entrepreneurs create products that nobody wants. Before investing your time and money, ensure that your product solves a real problem and has a market demand.
2. Inadequate Perception of the Present
Another mistake that many IT professionals make is not keeping up with current trends and developments. A black box state, where you don't know what's happening right now, can be fatal. It's essential to stay up to date with the latest technology and user needs to create a successful product. Misinterpreting the numbers can also lead to disaster. So, don't be afraid to learn and adapt to the current market.
3. Ignoring the Lifecycle of Production
Ignoring the lifecycle of production is another common mistake that IT professionals make. It's easy to get carried away with the excitement of creating something new and forget about the importance of documentation, QA, processes, and scaling. However, neglecting these aspects can lead to a great product only for yourself and a few friends. To ensure your product's success, take a holistic approach to the production lifecycle.
4. Bonus: Mental Deafness.
And this is my favourite one. There was not a single case where I did not find a solution or at least the cause of the problem just by talking to all the participants. And often the problem is that people listen to each other, but they don't hear each other. You always find the root cause by talking to everyone in their language.
While these reasons may seem obvious, they're often overlooked. It's crucial to remember that high intelligence isn't enough to make a successful IT product.
In conclusion, creating a successful IT product is a challenging task that requires a combination of skills, knowledge, and experience. Avoiding these idiotic mistakes can increase your chances of success and save you from the pain of failure. Nevertheless, miracles do not happen. It's to reduce the risk of a fiasco, but not to get rid of it.
What's your top mistake? Share your thoughts.