The conventional approach to product development, the build-measure-learn cycle, has been the bedrock for many product teams. This methodology emphasizes building quickly, measuring results, and then learning from those outcomes to iterate and improve. While it encourages speed and adaptability, it also comes with significant downsides, especially when it comes to resource efficiency. Too often, product teams find themselves pouring time and energy into features that ultimately fail, resulting in wasted resources, lost opportunities, and often a shift in product strategy.
The root of this problem lies in the fact that the build-measure-learn cycle often prioritizes action over understanding. Teams rush to build, but without sufficient insight into the true needs of their customers, they risk developing solutions that miss the mark. This is where a shift in approach — from building first to learning first — can make a profound difference.
Learning before building
The essence of a learn-first approach is simple: prioritize understanding your customers before you start building. By dedicating time to uncover deeper customer needs, product managers can ensure that the solutions they develop hit the mark with customer satisfaction while developing a clear product management process for themselves.
