Unveiling the Magic Behind Great Products: User Needs & Idea Alchemy

Product development thrives on two key ingredients: sparkling ideas and hidden user needs. But where do these come from, and how do product managers navigate this swirling soup? Buckle up, because we're about to dispel the myth of the lone genius PM and dive into the real world of collaborative innovation.

Beyond the Initial Spark:

Product development ignites ideas and user needs. These can be sparked by an initial concept or driven by a recognized problem. But product managers don't just pull ideas out of thin air. They're information hubs, processing a multitude of incoming requests and ideas.

The EMUC of Ideas:

Where do these ideas come from? Meet the EMUC:

• Employees: Your team's wealth of knowledge can spark brilliant solutions.

• Metrics: Data whispers valuable insights about user behavior and pain points.

• Users: Direct feedback unveils their struggles and desires.

• Clients: Their needs shape your product's value proposition.

Beyond the Surface:

But it's not just about fulfilling every request. Great product managers dig deeper, uncovering the core user needs behind them.

Asking Why: The Key to Unlocking Needs:

Imagine you're building a retweet filter for Twitter. Users might request a "dislike" button. But why? Is it simply to express negativity? Or are they trying to avoid harassment, curate their feed, or signal disagreement constructively? By asking "why" repeatedly, you uncover the real user need and build a solution that truly addresses it.

Sales Secret Weapon: The "Why" Technique:

Borrowing from the sales world, product managers can use the "why" technique to peel back the layers of user requests. This helps them understand the underlying motivations and pain points, leading to more effective product decisions.

Remember: Effective product management isn't about fulfilling every surface-level request. It's about understanding the "why" behind user needs, using diverse sources for ideas, and asking "why" repeatedly to unlock the true magic behind great products.

References: Learnings from "Becoming a Product Manager Guide" by LinkedIn Learning x IIBA