The Art of Shipping: Guiding Principles for Product Managers and Learners

The Art of Shipping: Guiding Principles for Product Managers and Learners

Introduction:
In the world of product development, shipping a product that "just works" is the ultimate goal. However, achieving this feat is not as simple as it sounds. This article combines insights from Andreessen Horowitz's "Shipping is a Feature" and Jordan Peterson's "Advice on How to Become a Genius" to provide guiding principles for product managers and learners alike. From decision-making to processing information effectively, these principles offer actionable advice for success.

Shipping is a Feature:
The concept of shipping as a feature is a fundamental principle that every product manager (PM) understands. The process of shipping, learning, gathering data, and iterating is crucial, regardless of the product development timeline. Whether it takes three years or three months to develop a product, the motion of shipping remains the same. PMs are paid to make decisions, and the key is to have a clear point of view on whether a feature should be included or not. This is the challenging aspect of being a PM, but it is also the most critical. A focused worldview for a product is essential to ensure its success in the market.

Deciding as a Team:
Collaboration is an integral part of product development. PMs often work closely with engineering and development teams, which means that decisions will involve multiple perspectives. While it may be tempting to believe that there is a "right" answer, it is important to remember that context is everything. The biblical narrative of "splitting the baby" illustrates the need to find middle paths for complex choices. In a diverse team with varied customers, compromise becomes necessary. However, it is crucial to consider the implications of such compromises on both existing and new customers. Incremental improvements should not overshadow the potential downsides they may introduce.

Context in Decision Making:
Context plays a significant role in effective decision-making as a PM. The skills and experience of the team, the current state of the business, and the ability to execute proposals all influence the choices made. Hindsight may offer clarity, but it is important to consider these factors when making decisions. There will always be individuals ready to offer advice or criticism, but ultimately, the responsibility lies with the PM to make informed choices based on the available context.

Processing and Remembering Information:
For learners, particularly those navigating the vastness of the internet, processing and remembering information can be challenging. Jordan Peterson's advice on using a web highlighter like "glasp" offers a practical solution. Just like using a highlighter or taking notes while reading a textbook, web highlighters allow users to seamlessly highlight important text online. By spending a few minutes recapping the highlighted information, learners can solidify it into their long-term memory. This technique enhances the learning process and helps manage the overwhelming amount of information available online.

Conclusion:
The art of shipping and decision-making is a crucial aspect of product management. By understanding the importance of shipping as a feature, embracing collaboration, considering context, and effectively processing information, both PMs and learners can enhance their success. Three actionable pieces of advice to take away from this article are:

1. Embrace the challenge of making decisions and have a clear point of view on features.
2. Foster collaboration and find middle paths for complex choices, considering the diverse needs of customers.
3. Use web highlighters or similar tools to process and remember key information effectively.

In today's fast-paced world, the ability to ship products and learn from the process is invaluable. Similarly, learners can benefit from effective information processing and decision-making techniques. By incorporating these principles into their work and learning processes, individuals can navigate the complexities of their respective fields with confidence.