Alex vandeHoef/Getty Images

Alex vandeHoef/Getty Images

Throughout my user experience research journey, I’ve seen countless moments where successful products have little to do with deep technical competencies.

Building a successful digital product is not about writing code, nor can anyone truly understand and knows what they need when they set out to make it.

Not surprisingly, product discovery has everything to do with how we understand people, their context and their needs, and how can we build a product with them.

I try to keep on my mind whenever digital products are shaping three key focal points:

  1. They must be fun to use – as opposed to boring as hell
  2. They must be chosen – as opposed to user manipulation for its adoption and future use
  3. They are never done – as opposed to a build and sell waterfall mindset

I also keep 3 “How Might We” at hand to help me to stay aligned with a sense and respond mindset.

  1. How might we minimize time to value;
  2. How might we solve for user needs;
  3. How might we excel at change and feedback.

How we think individually and collectively, how we communicate, how we make decisions, what we value in our work are far more relevant than the tools and processes. Why?

  1. It puts the focus on getting the most and best out of people;
  2. It allows vibrant professionals to strive and have a safe space to excel;
  3. It brings people together and supports teamwork;
  4. Fosters collaboration offers a better way of working;
  5. It keeps product teams curious about their users and their needs, and how to solve real problems.

A continuous discovery product mindset is like a pair of glasses – It brings the field to the office and supports a shared understanding between the product team and other stakeholders of the user goals, needs, and challenges while reducing the risk of months of work before realizing that – it will not work.