Shipping is a Feature: Some Guiding Principles for People That Build Things | Andreessen Horowitz

Shipping is a Feature: Some Guiding Principles for People That Build Things | Andreessen Horowitz

The success of a product lies in its ability to "just work" or "do what it is supposed to do." However, achieving this is often challenging due to the dynamics of design. Shipping a product is a crucial feature, yet it is also the most difficult to get right. Every product manager knows this, but it requires constant learning, gathering data, and iterating to improve. Whether it takes three years or three months to develop a product, the process remains the same.

As a product manager, you are paid to make decisions. It is essential to have a clear point of view and bring a focused worldview to the product. Just as you would want a person to have a clear perspective, a product should have the same clarity. It is crucial to decide whether to include a feature or not. This is the challenging part of being a product manager, but it is also the most critical.

Collaboration is key in product management, especially when working with engineering and development teams. However, not everyone will always agree on a decision. It is important to remember that there isn't always a "right" or "wrong" answer. Context is everything, and as a team, you have to find middle ground to make complex choices. This can often feel like splitting the baby, where compromises are made, but they may not satisfy anyone in the long run.

When deciding what to do in future iterations, it is crucial to consider the things that couldn't be done or had to be compromised in the previous version. While incremental improvements may seem tempting, they may not necessarily benefit existing or new customers. Sometimes, incremental changes can create speed bumps in user experience flow and design, overshadowing any positive impact. Context is everything in decision making as a product manager.

Furthermore, the skills and experience of the team, the current state of the business, and the ability to execute proposals all play a significant role in decision making. Hindsight is always 20/20, and there will always be people offering advice, perspective, or criticism. It is important to consider these factors and make informed decisions based on the available information.

The 4 Types of Luck | The Curiosity Chronicle

Luck is often seen as success or failure brought by chance rather than one's actions. However, there are different perspectives on luck. Dr. Austin proposed four types of luck:

1. Blind Luck: This type of luck covers truly random occurrences in the universe. It is the luck that we cannot control or predict.

2. Luck from Motion: Luck from motion comes from expanding your luck surface area through movement. By increasing your interactions and collisions with others, you open yourself up to more lucky events.

3. Luck from Awareness: This type of luck is a result of your awareness and deep understanding of a specific domain. The more knowledgeable you become in a particular area, the better you become at spotting opportunities and lucky events.

4. Luck from Uniqueness: Luck from uniqueness occurs when your unique set of attributes attracts specific luck to you. It is a combination of your individuality and the opportunities that align with it.

These types of luck often come in stages throughout life. Type I luck dominates the early years, where random events shape our lives. Type II luck comes into play when we start hustling in our 20s and increase our interactions. Type III luck develops as we gain deep experience in our 30s and beyond, becoming more adept at recognizing opportunities.

When faced with a choice between two paths, it is wise to choose the path that offers a larger luck surface area. Consider which path is more likely to lead to lucky events and act accordingly.

Actionable Advice:

1. Embrace the iterative process: Ship your product and learn from it. Gather data and iterate to improve. This constant learning and improvement are essential for success.

2. Develop a clear point of view: As a product manager, it is crucial to have a clear perspective and bring a focused worldview to the product. Make decisions confidently and communicate your vision effectively.

3. Consider the bigger picture: When making decisions, consider the context, skills of the team, and the current state of the business. Hindsight is 20/20, but it is important to make informed decisions based on available information.

In conclusion, shipping a product is a crucial feature, but it is also challenging to get right. Product managers must make decisions and bring a clear point of view to the product. Collaboration and finding middle ground are important when working with teams. When deciding what to do in future iterations, consider the trade-offs and the impact on existing and new customers. Additionally, luck plays a role in success, and it is wise to choose paths that offer a larger luck surface area. Embrace the iterative process, develop a clear point of view, and consider the bigger picture in decision making.