Context is everything

Context is everything

BMW versus Audi ambush marketing

Your developers may be happiest when they’re hacking gnarly code, leaving you to get on with engaging with the market, but this doesn’t mean you can ignore their need for context – the ‘why’ of their project.

Over the years, I have spoken to many disgruntled developers over a beer after work.  This isn’t entirely coincidental as they tend to dwell in the kind of pubs I enjoy: real ale, good selection of crisps, ability to hear oneself think, minimal bar fights, that kind of thing.

What tends to be a recurring theme of their disgruntlement is that they don’t see the point of their current project. They feel aggrieved that they’re not doing something more interesting instead.  And you know what, if it’s your project, it’s your fault.  Bad product manager.

If they don’t see the point of their current project and it’s your project, it’s your fault.  Bad product manager.

Put yourself in their shoes (or occasionally, sandals): I bet in the past you’ve received the executive order from on high to write a document for apparent no purpose, with no context around why on earth you’ve had to drop everything to write it.  Motivating?  I don’t think so.

Don’t make the same mistake. A project is a comparatively large investment of effort, usually by several people. It’s going to be hard to motivate the project team without the benefit of context.

So why not spend the project kick-off meeting providing context to get better team alignment from the outset?

Pitch the idea to them like they’re the investors, get them enthused, explain what a positive difference the project will make to the customers, the company.  Above all, get them to invest themselves in the project – if they believe in it and understand why they’re doing it, you’ll find it easier to get through the usual project hiccoughs along the way.

Remember – context is everything.


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The Practitioner's Guide to Product Management book cover

The Practitioner's Guide To Product Management

by Jock Busuttil

“This is a great book for Product Managers or those considering a career in Product Management.”

— Lyndsay Denton

Jock Busuttil is a freelance head of product, product management coach and author. He has spent over two decades working with technology companies to improve their product management practices, from startups to multinationals. In 2012 Jock founded Product People Limited, which provides product management consultancy, coaching and training. Its clients include BBC, University of Cambridge, Ometria, Prolific and the UK’s Ministry of Justice and Government Digital Service (GDS). Jock holds a master’s degree in Classics from the University of Cambridge. He is the author of the popular book The Practitioner’s Guide To Product Management, which was published in January 2015 by Grand Central Publishing in the US and Piatkus in the UK. He writes the blog I Manage Products and weekly product management newsletter PRODUCTHEAD. You can find him on Mastodon, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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