Hacker News front pageLiam Nugent5 min readintermediate
The most important product decision is what you don't build
Summary
This post argues that the most critical product decision is often what not to build, citing "document hubs" and "notification centers" as common pitfalls. It highlights how seemingly simple features can balloon into complex, costly, and poor user experiences, advocating for ruthless focus and illustrating long-term running costs.
- Avoid generic "document hubs" or "notification centers" as they often lead to complex, costly, and poor user experiences.
- Illustrate long-term running costs, not just build costs, to convince stakeholders against unnecessary features.
- Address specific user needs with targeted solutions rather than building one-size-fits-all platforms.
- Recognize the cognitive bias towards additive changes and actively seek subtractive improvements.
Product managers and engineering leaders should read this to understand the hidden costs of feature creep and the strategic value of disciplined product subtraction for long-term success and maintainability.
7/10
