Knowing When to Say When: Making Timely Decisions in Product Development

Expedient decisions are the new norm — but with less time comes higher stakes. How can decision-makers navigate those challenges?

By Matthias Dittrich

In every business, decision-makers wrestle with the same question: “How do I know if I know enough to make this decision?” Being too hasty might lead to mistakes, but more investigation will result in higher costs and longer timelines.

In my years as a design consultant, I have had the pleasure of working with great product owners who excelled in making decisions, as well as some that struggled. Often, what defines the difference is a clear decision framework.

The challenges of product management

Product development has never been an easy undertaking. In recent years, with the advent of digitalization and globalization, the speed and the stakes have amplified. Today’s sophisticated customers punish bad decisions with relentless feedback — or, worse, move to the next best competitor.

Product owners are under constant pressure to weigh options and make decisions — and face the consequences of those decisions. Often, the decision is not just…