I can’t bear in mind precisely when it was, or the way it got here to be, however early in my profession, I discovered that product folks had been answerable for the what of product growth, and builders had been answerable for the how. The what being what the answer is, and the how being how it’s finally carried out.
I carried that concept with me for a really very long time. “I’m the what, they’re the how.” I suppose that the good thing about such readability, when put into observe, is that growth tended to really feel much less like product was encroaching on their territory, and likewise, product tended to really feel a sure stage of authority in proudly owning the what.
On the identical time, I might decide up on emotions of resentment on each side when both was excluded from enter resulting from such invisible strains. For instance, my developer companions all the time had perception that was essential to find out what must be constructed — not simply how. And in the event that they weren’t included early on within the discussions, I might reliably depend on some hesitancy down the highway when it got here time to develop. To not point out the potential eye rolls or facet conversations about being requested to implement a “silly thought.”
On the threat of complicated anybody who hasn’t spent over a decade utilizing these nuanced phrases, after I consult with what, I don’t simply imply the thought for an answer. I imply its necessities, too. It’s the reply to the query, “What are we creating?” and it encompasses not solely the broad class (aka, a widget) however what the widget we’re creating does for its customers.
And after I consult with how, I imply the implementation plan. The know-how, instruments, and processes that may make the what get achieved.
I’ve discovered that separating the what and the how of a product answer solely works in groups and organizations which might be culturally territorial. So long as everyone seems to be proud of that association, no hurt, no foul. It’s not superb, for causes talked about above. Nonetheless, if everyone seems to be completely satisfied of their containers, it will possibly work. To ensure that it to achieve success, groups should keep of their designated lanes…
