Cultivating Change: Navigating Continuous Improvement on the Path to Scale
As a scaling company, continuous improvement is the name of the game. In our fast-paced world of product development, getting everyone on board for more suitable solutions, better team synergies, and increased efficiency is vital. Simply developing a good product isn't enough—we need it to deliver exactly what our customers need.
This year, we took a big step by inviting stakeholders to engage in deep conversations with our team right from the start. We wanted to understand the major users' needs and determine the features necessary to fulfill those needs. We realized the need to involve the engineers during the discovery phase, by involving developers in the discovery phase, not just the implementation phase, we're fostering collaboration and ensuring a broader perspective.
Also, collaboration with developers brings a wider view and streamlines decision-making. By involving the development teams early on, we avoid disconnection and ensure they take ownership of the features. When they have a say in what gets built, their passion and empathy soar, driving their motivation each day.
Building processes little by little and conducting retrospectives at the end of each quarter are crucial steps. While involving developers in the early phase was the first stride, we must also address factors like timeframes. It's a work in progress, but we've already seen improvements since the beginning of the year. Celebrating small wins along the journey is key.
Remember, this journey is ongoing, and there's still a long way to go. But let's recognize and appreciate the progress we've made. By continuously refining our approach and embracing the lessons learned, we'll keep moving forward, delivering exceptional products that truly meet our customers' needs.
By Sanjeev Venkatraman, Product Manager.