1 tip & 3 resources per week to improve your Strategy, OKRs, and Discovery practices in less than 5 minutes.
🛠️ How to Navigate Product Discovery Like a Map
How to Navigate Product Discovery Like a Map​Dear Reader,​ “We need to complete all six Discovery phases in order." "Let's perfect that JTBD statement before we talk to users." "Our process requires detailed one-pagers before any customer interviews." Does this sound familiar? These are examples of dogmatic defaults: Teams cycling through the same tools in the same order, regardless of context. While these practices aren't harmful, blindly following them as processed often means missing faster paths to reducing uncertainty. Instead of rigid processes, think of Discovery as a path you navigate. It consists of: Entry Points: Where you begin. Shaped through (new) business goals, changes in market conditions, or other triggers. Crossroads: Pivotal „What do we need to learn next“ moments that determine the direction of a team’s moves. Articulated through research intent questions (problem space) or assumptions (solution space). Moves: The distinct methods you use to progress.Typically in the shape of qualitative or quantitative methods linked to the specific research intent question or assumption Commitments: States of informed conviction leading to clear decisions. Conviction about additional needed work to reduce uncertainty, discarding a problem or solution, or committing to and implementing a solution The key is not which method you use but how you choose your next move based on what you need to learn. When navigating Discovery Paths, constantly ask yourself: What activity maximizes uncertainty reduction while shortening the lead time to the next viable insight as much as possible? Here are the paths of a Product Team working on a financial trading app: Product Discovery isn't about following prescribed steps. It's about using evidence to reduce uncertainty about what problems are worth solving and what solutions are worth delivering. Stop waiting for perfect conditions. Start reducing uncertainty from whatever entry point you find yourself at. Did you enjoy this newsletter or have feedback? Do reply. It's motivating. I'm not a robot; I read and respond to every subscriber email I get (just ask around). If this newsletter isn't for you anymore, you can unsubscribe here. Thank you for Practicing Product, ​Tim​ PS: Thanks to Paulius Tuzikas for contributing to the "accidental" shaping of the idea of Product Discovery Paths derived from our conversation. PPS: Join me on Nov 12 for an in-person deep dive on Product Discovery practices at Product Tank Cologne. Join my In-Person Workshops in BerlinI'm excited to bring my beloved in-person workshops back to Berlin in January 2025. You can choose between 1-day workshops on Product Strategy, Product OKRs, or Product Discovery OR get the full 3-day experience for you or your team.
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As a Product Management Coach, I guide Product Teams to measure the real progress of their evidence-informed decisions. I focus on better practices to connect the dots of Product Strategy, Product OKRs, and Product Discovery. |
Product Practice Newsletter
1 tip & 3 resources per week to improve your Strategy, OKRs, and Discovery practices in less than 5 minutes.
Product Practice #365 How bol.com kills ideasbased on Discovery Insights READ ON HERBIG.CO PUBLISHED May 30, 2025 READING TIME 5 min & 18 sec Dear Reader, This is the second part of my mini-series on how bol.com, one of Europe’s largest e-commerce companies, shapes its fintech products. Last week, we looked at how they combine regulatory compliance with customer value. This week, we'll look at how they adapt discovery practices to their unique context, leading to killed ideas and adapted...
Product Practice #364 How to shape Fintech Products inside a European €5.9B+ eCommerce Platform READ ON HERBIG.CO PUBLISHED May 23, 2025 READING TIME 4 min & 48 sec Dear Reader, Better product management practices can emerge anywhere. While Silicon Valley companies have long been considered the Standard for product practices, there is immense value in understanding how companies adapt and evolve these practices in different contexts, especially in Europe. This is why I'm starting a...
Product Practice #363 How to IdentifyHigh-Leverage Impacts READ ON HERBIG.CO PUBLISHED May 16, 2025 READING TIME 5 min & 13 sec Dear Reader, An Impact is a metric that describes the achievement of a company- or department-level priority. It's a lagging indicator that changes as a result of multiple compounding efforts, but is not linkable to one individual feature or activity. Most Impacts fall into one of five categories: Growth Engagement Monetization Satisfaction Process Quality From Vague...