Building products in chaos. How we approach problems?

To put us in context. Startups operate in an environment of uncertainty and change. Normaly this is a shitshow. They have limited resources and need to deliver products or services that meet the needs of their customers, fast.

To be successful, startups must continuously innovate and evolve their products or services to stay ahead of the competition. This can get complicated.

In the techie world, changes are constant and market demands are unpredictable.  Agile mindset an essential skill for the success and survival of a company. But, it's common to experience moments when ideas don't flow as abundantly as usual. More in this context (living in an actual recession, tech layoffs, an impending global apocalypse, and all that jazz).

So, what do we do to counteract this? We structure the different stages of our projects, providing order while also allowing room for errors in the pursuit of iteration.  We adopt the design thinking mindset.

In practice, what does it mean?

Design thinking is an problem-solving approach that values creativity, empathy, and critical thinking to tackle complex problems. Instead of getting bogged down by negativity or feeling overwhelmed, design thinking encourages us to approach problems with an open and constructive mindset. By exploring multiple options and staying flexible, we increase our chances of finding effective solutions.

At the heart of design thinking is empathy, which involves understanding the needs and perspectives of others. By stepping into the shoes of those impacted by a problem, we gain a deeper understanding of their experiences and can develop solutions that better meet their needs. This leads to more sustainable and impactful solutions that create positive change. It typically consists of several iterative stages:

Empathize: To begin with, we seek to understand the users we are designing for (conducting interviews, surveys, and observations to gather information about their needs, wants, and expectations). By getting to know them on a deeper level, we can design solutions that truly satisfy them.

Define: Once we have a grasp of the big picture, we define the problem to be solved. This involves being clear and concise. A well-defined problem guides the rest of the process.

Ideate: In this phase, we brainstorm as many ideas as possible. The goal is to propose, just that. Good ideas, bad ideas, crazy-expensive ideas, you name it. At this stage, no idea is considered too crazy or unrealistic, as the objective is to explore all possibilities.

Prototype: Once we choose the path, it's time to roll up our sleeves and create prototypes. Sketches, mockups, functional prototypes. Prototyping helps us test ideas quickly and iteratively.

Test: Lastly, and most importantly, we test with users to see how they interact with the product or service. Without this step, everything else loses focus. What is not measured, does not grow. Test, ask, improve, test again. That's it.

Conclusion

Building products is not a succession of random stages, but the result of a meticulously evolved method. In the dynamic and unpredictable startup environment, embracing design thinking becomes essential for effectively navigating uncertainty and achieving success. This approach, rooted in empathy and iteration, empowers digital products to address complex problems, deliver innovative solutions, and ultimately drive positive change.