Making Things that Matter — A recap of our process thus far
The new newsletter format started this summer, and we’ve covered a myriad of topics since then. Let’s look back on what we’ve discussed so far and get an idea of what’s next.
Is My Idea A Good One
Does the idea solve a problem for you? No? Then find those that it is an issue for to work with them to tell you what you need to do. Or, make it your problem. Take it on and figure it out.
Is My Idea Worth Doing
Really, do you REALLY want to do this? What are you willing to sacrifice in order to do it.
How Much of my Idea do I Build?
No matter what you want to launch, that is not what you will end with even six months from now. If you are doing it right, you will never stop innovating your idea. The more you interact with customers and get feedback, the more you will want to change what you are doing.
The Discovery Interview
I’m going to share with you the questions that I start with. These are all discussion starters and are a way to ease the customer into a deeper conversation. You should not stop with these questions but should use them to inform your ongoing conversations.
Build a Customer Advisory Panel Now
Before you go any further, you need to get customer advisors. These are individuals that will be your first customers and will give you feedback. They will need to do two essential things for you. They will need to give you honest and detailed feedback, and they will need to buy what you are selling.
Get to the Root of the Problem
Figuring out what the problem is that you want to solve is crucial to building something that matters. But it’s not as simple as just saying to yourself “This is an issue for me, it must be a problem for others!” Remember, I recommend that you start with a problem that is an issue for you. However, when you move that to others, there is a simple process for checking that you are identifying a problem everyone has.
How to Figure out what the Solution Is
One last thing to note. I know this is obvious, but don’t skip this process. The problem/solution cycle will change the way that you think. And talking to customers will be incredibly valuable to that process. Without it, you are guessing while wasting time and money.
Should I Build It?
I know for me, I’ll take a concept through the concierge phase, and if I don’t have a fit, then I move on without any guilt because I know I went through with the process and the process worked. Also, I like to fly fish, so I need some time for that.
What Tech Do I Use?
One of the most time-sucking activities is reanalyzing what you are doing every step of the way. Should you be aware of other things in your industry? Of course, but don’t re-evaluate every decision weekly. Once you commit to a technical solution, commit fully and make your solution happen.
A Video Overview of Lean Methods and Introducing Design Thinking
The video below is a GREAT overview of the Lean Startup ideas we’ve already started talking about and an introduction to what we’ll be diving into next, Design Thinking. And the content is presented by Eric Ries (The Lean Startup), Tim Brown, (CEO of IDEO) and Google Ventures Design Partner Jake Knapp.
What is Design?
Because as you start to build what matters, you need craftspeople that care deeply about what they do and how they do it. You do not want a chop shop, discount “design” provider or a cheap alternative. You need to take your solution seriously and work with others that take it more seriously than you do.
What is a Minimum Viable Product?
A minimum viable product (MVP) is the smallest set of functionality that you build to provide a valid product to your customer that they will give you feedback.
How to Pick a Vendor
To make your mark with something that matters you are going to need help. You are going to need vendors that you can trust and that will solve problems for you. Aside from the usual portfolio and references, I think that there are two key ideas that you need to consider when you are looking for vendors.
What is User Experience Design and How Do I Think About It?
Yes, it’s a LOT to think about. But this is the point. Find the user experience. Just completing a goal is not the product. If users can’t find it, be successful with it and share it, you will be all alone with your solution.
Testing User Experience — Introducing Paper Prototyping
Paper prototyping makes you the product and little pieces of paper become screens. This works well for digital products, but the principle applies to hardware products as well.
User Goals vs Business Goals
When everyone goals are aligned, magic happens. When your kids or your partner are on the same page as you, everything just works and its a beautiful blend of giving and take and unity. When the goals compete with each other, you have a power struggle that can be nasty.
How do I know I have a good user experience?
If your customers like your product, if it works, and it it’s effortless you have a good user experience.
What is a Wireframe?
Wireframes have saved me 100s of thousands of dollars over the years. And I’m probably underestimating that at this point. Primarily because I can find incorrect assumptions quickly before I’ve hired anyone to do anything.
What is Friction?
Friction is anything that gets in the way of your users and what they want to do.
Use Your Words
I’d like to challenge us as makers that the words we use are just as crucial to what we are doing as the colors or materials or whatever it is you do. You can not build your final product without them, so don’t wait until the end to fit them into what you’ve already created.
So, What’s Next?
We have a few more ideas about design to round out the discussion. Then, we are going to dive into the development process. We’ll talk about some geeky details like databases, frameworks, processes, and what it means to actually BUILD a product. Even if you’re not a developer, this will be good stuff for you to know.
Stay tuned.
Join the Conversation
This is the from the archive of an ongoing series called Making Things That Matter. Each week I will send you an email with another step in the process of building products and launching ideas. Signup here to join the conversation.
