What Is Product Thinking?

Product Thinking comes down to problem-solving. Designers need to use Product Thinking in terms of products first and features second.

When it comes to finding a solution, the design team must look at the entire picture to make the product effective for the user. The Problem Thinking process must deliver a first-class end result.

Product Thinking and structure – think it out!

Many strategic points go into Product Thinking and structure. The designer has to ask themselves some key points by determining what exactly the user wants in a product.

Start by asking these questions:

• What are the goals that shape the vision and strategy to execute it?
• What is the underlying issue and how do we solve it?
• Who is/are the main user(s) experiencing the problem?
• What is your strategy and where do you begin?
• What is your vision for the product? What is the solution you want to achieve?
• What are your goals for the products?
• How will the added features help you reach the final goal?

Don’t get bogged down

A designer need not get bogged down in trying to develop new features that cannot solve a user’s problems. The Designer should think about User Experience first and worry less about New Features. He needs to focus on the problem he is trying to solve.

The designer has to ask themselves: Why is the user buying this product? Extra features are nice, but the core reason always starts at the beginning. Users purchase products to make their lives easier and hassle-free.

Again, the main questions remain, why is the user buying the product?

Figure out the problem and solve it

Before a product can hit the market, the designer gets inside the user’s head and asks themselves, “What are the problems with the product, and how do we fix them?”

From structure to the final delivery of the product, it’s necessary for Product Thinking to take place. If a product is all fluff and no substance, it’s a wasted product in the end.

Always remember, Product Thinking starts with the user.

Know what the product is mainly being used for and work out the kinks with vision, strategy, and clear objectives.

The designer shouldn’t forget to design a product from a UX viewpoint and advantage. Once all these elements are in place, the designer can go forth and decide on secondary features such as apps and other bells and whistles.

Let’s summarize: What is Product Thinking?

Product Thinking is a way of examining every design angle to determine what the user wants and how to solve the problem.

Some may think Product Thinking is a cute catchword of the day that aligns with Design Thinking, but the term itself helps with defining what the audience wants.

By thinking in terms of the users’ needs, designers can build a sounder product that effectively meets the end requirement. Product Thinking establishes a sound affiliation amongst UX Design and Product Management.

The Agile Product Manager focuses on the MVP (Minimum viable product). “Fail fast and fail often” is the only way to deliver value quickly and remove unnecessary workload is not in line with established Goals (back to drawing board so to speak).
With better designs, improved products are the reality.

From iPod to iPhone, to iPad with a stylus—consider the transition of products and technology that have successfully been in tune with what the user needs. And not we delivered everything on Day 1. It’s a continuous feedback loop.