Build the Basics Before Obsessing Over Details

When building and launching new products and features, it's easy to get lost in the details.

However, without a solid foundation, those details are just distractions.

Working in a startup is akin to navigating through a bustling marketplace. Every decision counts, and time is a precious commodity often constrained by tight deadlines and limited resources.

Yet, amidst this whirlwind, I've observed a common pitfall: the tendency to dive headfirst into refining the minutiae of a product feature or user interface before ensuring the core functionality and user experience are solid.

Consider the scenario of debating the colour scheme or button placement on a mobile app interface without first validating whether the app addresses a genuine user need or solves a pressing pain point.

It's not unlike the temptation to polish the exterior of a car that has a faulty engine - you might make it look sleek and shiny in a photograph, but it won't get you very far. 

This situation mirrors the golfer who splurges on top-of-the-line equipment but neglects to hone their swing. Just as a golfer's prowess lies in mastering the fundamentals of their sport, a product manager's success hinges on building a solid foundation before delving into the finer details.

The Courage to Master the Fundamentals

Renowned strength coach Dan John said:

Everybody has the same basic body and needs, and we have to have the courage to train the fundamentals, the basics, at least 80% of the time. Sure, add some spice in there now and again, but focus on the basics.

The point is that true mastery in any domain requires dedicating a significant portion of time to fundamental principles.

As product managers, we must resist the temptation to be drawn into the allure of intricacies and instead commit to perfecting the essentials.

For instance, it's tempting to spend hours deliberating over the wording of a push notification or the placement of a feature toggle. However, without a thorough understanding of the user's journey or the core value proposition of the product, these details are mere distractions.

We too often find ourselves mired in conversations about the wallpaper of the house before we've agreed on the floor plan (and who is going to be living there). 

Avoid the “edge cases” until you've nailed the "must haves"

We all waste valuable time debating edge cases - and the reasons for this are very sound: 

1. Our brains default to avoiding hard things. Deciding on the big bets is hard, and risky, and time-consuming, and energy-sapping. The edge cases are often frivolous and fun. 
2. By definition, there are more details to focus on. We are typically terrible at prioritising our time based on what is most important, rather than what is most abundant and urgent. 

But just like anything that is difficult, it is also far more rewarding to succeed at setting - with confidence and conviction - the foundations for success, before discussing the details that will deliver delight and magic. 

The finest details and refinements are, of course, important, but pale in comparison to the foundational work required for success.

Don’t Fear the Fundamentals

In the pursuit of excellence and mastery in any discipline one must focus on the fundamentals wholeheartedly and with unwavering determination.

Many opt instead for the allure of novelty, variety and complexity, but this is a key pitfall to be aware of and to avoid. It will get you stuck, and keep you stuck. 

Form is nothing without substance.