Entries from April 2010 ↓
April 25th, 2010 — Book Review
OK, maybe I was a decade late for this one.
I just finished reading Management Challenges for the 21st Century by Peter F. Drucker. For a book that was only 196 pages, it took me a little longer to get through this than I wanted.
There are some great lessons in here that I am able to apply to my daily work schedule. The first chapter talks a lot about new management paradigms and organization structures, how to management people and how technology will continue to shape how business is done today.
There was an interesting section on strategy, but it was a little high-level discussing some certainties (like collapsing birthrates affecting business) that you should be aware of. The section on global competitive was the most relevant. Another section dealt with how to live in a world of constant change.
Perhaps my favourite section was the topic that contrasted the knowledge worker versus the manual worker. I found this interesting because so many of us are building products for the knowledge worker, but we continue to measure it as if we are building products for the manual worker. It requires a completely different approach.
The last section discussed managing oneself and this is always relevant. Brace yourself for this one, the first question is “What are my Strengths?” There were some interesting stories on whether you are a reading or listening learner.
If you have not read it already, I recommend it as a light, quick read.
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April 23rd, 2010 — Roadmaps
I am starting to kick the tires on a roadmap. I am building an honest-to-goodness roadmap and it feels good it after more than four years of just talking about them.
As I started to think about which features should be in my roadmap, I began to think about what bits of information do I need that would sell my stakeholders that the features are valid. As a side note, I am pushing my roadmap closer to the front of the process and will try to focus it on problems and not features.
So I am throwing this question to you. We talk a lot about collecting facts or evidence before making decisions. I wonder specifically what everyone means by this. I have my own ideas, but I am interested in your thoughts. Please comment below.
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April 2nd, 2010 — Book Review, Innovation, Product Management
I have maintained all along that innovation is easy. Successful innovation is hard. Anyone can invent something new and by definition is that innovation. The challenge is building something new that people want and will pay for. (Poses a related question of whether free products are innovative?)
This is why I love quotes like this:
The test of an innovation is that it creates value.
Is this not the same test for great product management?
Quote Reference: Management Challenges for the 21st Century by Peter F. Drucker (p.86)
More on this book later.
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