Product Development Success

What constitutes “success” in the product development arena, and how might we quantify it, or even measure it?

What is the ultimate unit of measure for success?

Some folks say it’s “life cycle profit impact”. But it really isn’t. Nobody gives a hoot about profit (cf. Deming’s First Theorem). Nor do all but a few take a long term (whole life cycle) view of the products in their product portfolio.

In my experience, the ultimate unit of measure for success in product development is the wellbeing of the folks involved. In particular, the personal wellbeing of executives and senior managers with skin in the game. And to a much lesser extent, the personal wellbeing of the middle managers, developers, and customers (most often in that order).

Of course, nobody wants to talk about this, least of all the beneficiaries. So the measures of success remain undiscussable, and spurious proxy measures such as profit are introduced to lull the unwary and naive.

– Bob

Further Reading

Think Different. (2019). Your REAL Job. [online] Available at: /2019/11/11/your-real-job/ [Accessed 21 Jan. 2022].