Making Great Products: Why Facts Matter More Than Feelings
Building awesome products is tough. We’re always deciding what to add, change, or fix. But how do we know what’s actually a good idea? Guessing and gut feelings can lead us off track. That’s where evidence-based decisions come in, acting as a guiding light in the maze.
This approach isn’t about abandoning creativity or passion. It’s about complementing our gut feelings with the power of real information. By gathering data, analyzing user behavior, and understanding the market landscape, we can make informed choices that have a higher chance of hitting the mark. It’s not about blind faith in numbers, but about using them to illuminate the path forward, turning good ideas into great products that users truly love.
Think of it like building a bridge. You wouldn’t just wing it, hoping the materials hold and the structure remains stable. You’d rely on calculations, test the strength of the materials, and ensure everything aligns with the needs of those who will use it. Evidence-based decision making is just that — building a strong foundation for your product, based on data and insights that empower you to create something truly impactful.
Why is this important?
Less guessing, more winning: Imagine building something cool, but nobody cares. Data helps us avoid that by showing what users really want and how they use our stuff. No more wasted time and resources!
Teamwork makes the dream work: Data is like a magic translator, turning our ideas into clear facts everyone can understand. This builds trust and helps everyone get on the same page, making the team stronger.
Always getting better: Things change fast, so what worked yesterday might not today. Data helps us see what needs fixing and keep our product fresh and useful, adapting to new user needs.
Openness & trust: Forget secret decisions and hidden agendas. Data brings everything out in the open, fostering trust and open communication within the team.
Need some examples? Here you go.
Tesla utilized real-world driving data from their vehicles to improve autopilot features and accelerate the development of self-driving technology.
Airbnb A/B tested different headlines and visuals for their listings, resulting in a 30% increase in bookings with optimized versions.
Starbucks implemented a loyalty program based on customer purchase history, driving repeat business and increasing customer lifetime value.
So, how do we use evidence-based decisions?
- Set clear goals: What do you want your product to achieve? Figure out what success looks like.
- Gather info: Ask your users, look at website stats, and experiment with different ideas.
- Make sense of it all: Don’t pick and choose data that fits your guess. Look at everything fairly.
- Share what you find: Tell your team and everyone involved what the data says, making decisions clear and easy to understand.
- Learn and adapt: Don’t be afraid to try new things, even if they fail. Use data to see what worked and what didn’t, then try again!
Remember, using data isn’t just about numbers, it’s about making the best choices for your product and users. By basing your decisions on facts, you can build something truly amazing!
Tip: There are lots of tools and methods to help you gather and analyze data. Check out the Lean Startup, Design Thinking, and data analysis tools to make your data journey even smoother.
