In digital products, there’s always the temptation to do more, build more, and be everything to everyone. But the truth is, spreading yourself too thin can lead to a product (or project) that tries to solve everything and excels at nothing. Let’s unpack why focus is essential and how to avoid the pitfalls of overcomplication. Less is more; don’t build a Swiss Army Knife.
Recognizing the Signals
Before diving into the solutions, ask yourself if you’ve encountered these warning signs:
- Your target customer is “everyone” or a very broad group.
- Your team has different ideas about your product’s core features.
- Customers show hesitation or won’t commit to using your product.
- You struggle to explain your product in one or two sentences.
- Your product boasts many features, each satisfying a customer segment or a partial customer problem.
If any of these resonate, you may be heading towards creating a “Swiss Army Knife”—a product that tries to do too much and, in doing so, becomes mediocre at everything.
Why “Less Is More”
Acting on every customer request, stakeholder demand, or market trend is tempting. But here’s the thing: just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Not every insight deserves action.
Every customer need, desire, or requirement isn’t necessarily one for your product or service to solve. Your role as a digital professional—whether as a Product Owner, Project Manager, or Producer—is to interpret these insights and identify the core opportunities that align with your product’s vision and objectives.
Following every request turns your product into a collection of disjointed features—a Swiss Army Knife that’s functional but underwhelming for all.
Never Debate on a Theoretical Level
Data is your ally when deciding what to build (or not to build). Theoretical arguments are circular and subjective. To make effective decisions, ground your discussions in evidence:
- Conversations with Customers:
- Regularly engage with your customers to understand their pain points, needs, and preferences. Their feedback should shape the features you prioritize.
- Check Your Assumptions:
- Don’t assume a feature or change will solve a problem just because it feels right. Use data to validate assumptions: If this is true, that must be true, leading to the following conclusion.
- Define Core Value:
- Does this feature improve the product’s primary value to our target customers? If not, it’s likely a distraction.
Build for Focus, Not for Everyone
A focused product that solves a specific problem exceptionally well will consistently outperform one that tries to solve everything passably. This principle applies to how you:
- Plan project deliverables.
- Shape product roadmaps.
- Handle stakeholder demands.
By saying no to distractions, you create space for what truly matters—delivering value to your customers and stakeholders.
Conclusion
Your goal isn’t to build a Swiss Army Knife. It’s creating a precision tool that solves your customer’s core problem. Simplify, focus, and resist the urge to overcomplicate. When your product is clear, your customers will commit.