Learning 8: Tactical solution vs Strategic solution, whichever you chose, make sure it's shared
This article is part of my learning journal. If you are interested to read them all, jump to my main index page "What I have learnt about product management, agile, and personal development at a big bank".
PART 1: 9 learnings on the process of developing a product from discovery phase to delivery phase
Learning 1: The mindset of DVF, and take ownership to explore DVF, at scale.
Learning 2: Understand your problem statement, and create a clear and long lasting vision
Learning 3: Trust the experts and empower the team
Learning 4: Know the rules before you break the rules (understand current state of your solution)
Learning 5: Clear roles and responsibilities = Clear accountabilities and actions
Learning 6: Make use of your cross-functional talents, make it real team collaboration
Learning 7: Create an actionable roadmap. Convert the experience into coherent user stories. Focus on less, to deliver more
Learning 8: Tactical solution vs Strategic solution, whichever you chose, make sure it's shared understanding
Learning 9: Engage with your stakeholders
Due to time, budget and other constraints, things don't always happen as we expected. As a product owner, one has to make trade off on what gets developed. Architects and designers hate tactical solutions as they are so far away from ideal state, product and marketing are probably more keen to implement tactical solutions as long as they still meet customers' expectations somehow, or partially. So they can test the product in the market and realise their benefits earlier.
There is no right and wrong of either options, but one thing to bear in mind is to understand, if your MVP implements tactical solution, it's your responsibility to prioritise tech debt/design debt and implement strategic solution not long after. The worst is to jump around different initiatives and developed a bunch of MVP that are not scalable. Ask yourself, do you want to simply catch up with the jones, or do you want to be the industry leader?
For example: If you want to be a fast fashion brand, then you have to come up with new styles very quickly (with cheaper materials), and consumers' expectations would be set on lower price + new styles. If you aim to be a quality fashion brand that brings more meaning to people's clothing, consumers will be expecting quality products, with much more patiences and accept higher price. Which one is a more sustainable business? It's up to your judgement. Regardless, you need to bring your team to the same page and motivate them along the way.
What do you think of choosing tactical solution vs strategic solution? How would you approach it in your workplace? I would love to have more discussions on this topic.
Read my previous learning point : Learning 7: Create an actionable roadmap. Convert the experience into coherent user stories. Focus on less, to deliver more
Read my next learning point : Learning 9: Engage with your stakeholders
Back to my main index page: "What I have learnt about product management, agile, and personal development at a big bank"