Source: Lenny’s Newsletter by Lenny Rachitsky. Read the original article
TL;DR Summary of Mastering Product Sense: Building Intuition and Creativity in Product Development
Product sense is a trainable skill essential for successful product development. Developing user empathy and observing real user interactions are key methods to enhance this ability. Reverse-engineering products and fostering creativity help uncover what drives product success. Continuous curiosity about technology trends further sharpens your product intuition over time.
Optimixed’s Overview: How to Cultivate Strong Product Sense for Innovative Product Building
Understanding Product Sense as a Skill
Product sense refers to the intuitive ability to design and improve products that truly meet user needs. Far from being an innate talent, it is a skill that can be developed through deliberate practice and mindset shifts.
Key Practices to Develop Product Sense
- Train Your Muscle: Like any skill, product sense improves with consistent effort and learning.
- Develop Deep User Empathy: Engage directly with users and understand their experiences to inform better product decisions.
- Observe Real User Behavior: Watching how users interact with products provides valuable insights beyond theoretical assumptions.
- Reverse-Engineer Successful Products: Analyzing why certain products work well helps uncover design patterns and decision-making processes.
The Role of Creativity and Curiosity
Creativity is indispensable in product development, enabling innovative solutions and fresh perspectives. Staying curious about emerging technologies and trends fuels continuous innovation and sharpens your product intuition.
Measuring Your Growth
Improving product sense involves self-reflection and feedback loops. By regularly assessing how your intuition and product decisions evolve, you can gauge progress and identify areas for further growth.
