Dogfooding: How Putting Yourself in the User’s Shoes Changes the Way You See Your Product

Dogfooding: How Putting Yourself in the User’s Shoes Changes the Way You See Your Product

In the world of product development, it's easy to get caught up in our own ideas and lose sight of the user experience. That's why the concept of "dogfooding" has become increasingly popular in recent years. Dogfooding refers to the practice of using your own product as a way to gain a deeper understanding of its strengths and weaknesses. By putting ourselves in the shoes of our users, we can identify blind spots and find new ways to improve our offerings.

One of the biggest challenges that product teams face is forgetting what it's like to be a new user. When we're deeply immersed in the development process, we can become blind to issues that may be obvious to an outsider. That's why it's crucial to regularly sign up for your own service again, using a brand new account. This allows you to stay up-to-date on the user experience and serves as a reminder that there's always room for improvement.

By experiencing your product from the perspective of a new user, you can identify pitfalls and challenges that people may encounter. Is the onboarding process intuitive? Are there any barriers to entry? Taking the time to truly understand the user experience can help you address these issues and create a more seamless product.

Customer empathy is another important aspect of dogfooding. It's not enough to simply understand the user experience; we must also consider the diverse range of users who may interact with our product. We're building products for people from all walks of life, and if we forget that, we risk leaving them out of the equation. By putting ourselves in the shoes of different users, we can gain a global mindset and ensure that our products are inclusive and accessible.

The benefits of dogfooding extend beyond just improving the user experience. It also fosters intellectual curiosity within our teams. When we use our own products, we're forced to think critically about their functionality and potential improvements. This curiosity drives us to continuously learn and iterate, ultimately leading to the creation of better products.

But what happens when intellectual curiosity starts to wane? In a thought-provoking article by Sven Schnieders, he explores the decline of intellectual curiosity in our society. He argues that this curiosity is innate in children, who are constantly asking questions and seeking to understand the world around them. However, as we grow older, we often lose this sense of wonder and become complacent with our existing knowledge.

Schnieders suggests that one of the main culprits behind this decline is the education system. Schools and universities often prioritize memorization over true understanding, leading to a superficial grasp of knowledge. As a result, students become focused on "hacking" exams rather than fostering a genuine love for learning.

The solution, according to Schnieders, lies in autodidacticism. With the abundance of information available on the internet, anyone with the desire to learn can do so at little to no cost. The key is to cultivate intellectual curiosity and see learning as a pleasurable pursuit, rather than a chore. By allowing ourselves to study topics that genuinely interest us, we can tap into our innate curiosity and unlock our full learning potential.

In the age of information overload, being able to discern valuable knowledge from noise is a crucial skill. Schnieders emphasizes the importance of using boredom as a content filter, focusing only on subjects that truly captivate our interest. This skill becomes even more valuable when coupled with the ability to connect ideas and form deep understandings.

By combining the concepts of dogfooding and intellectual curiosity, we can create a powerful framework for product development. When we put ourselves in the shoes of our users and approach our products with a curious mindset, we gain a deeper understanding of their needs and can create more meaningful solutions.

So, how can we apply these principles to our own work? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Regularly use your own product: Set aside time each month to sign up for your service using a new account. This will help you stay in touch with the user experience and identify areas for improvement.

2. Embrace customer empathy: Take the time to understand the diverse range of users who interact with your product. Consider their unique needs and perspectives, and ensure that your product is inclusive and accessible.

3. Cultivate intellectual curiosity: Foster a culture of learning within your team. Encourage everyone to explore new ideas, ask questions, and engage in continuous self-improvement. Embrace autodidacticism and see learning as a lifelong pursuit.

In conclusion, dogfooding and intellectual curiosity are powerful tools that can transform the way we approach product development. By putting ourselves in the shoes of our users and embracing a curious mindset, we can create products that truly meet their needs and drive innovation. So, let's continue to learn, explore, and improve, both as individuals and as teams. The possibilities are endless.