Product creation follows a logical series of steps from idea straight through to completion.  Right?

I have completed projects in countless business disciplines over the years.  Why can I not manage the tasks within this newest venture?  What causes me to freeze in fear at the outset of each week?  Today has been packed with “I cannot do this” thoughts.  So, I watched training videos.  Unidentified tasks cause me to panic, so I have to remember to go back to the basics.

• Create the plan – “What” I want to do is supposed to dominate the early stages of product planning.  Unfortunately, I get caught up in creating in the midst of refining my plan.  Approaching any product with my energies split between planning and creation is exhausting.
• Execute the plan – Only after the plan is complete should I ever take that step toward creating my masterpiece.  Completing tasks more than once requires more time than just waiting to complete the tasks from the design.
• Modify the plan – Discoveries throughout the process are normal.  My ability to work through my plan is dependent on noticing the issues that arise.  One of the greatest challenges we all face is the constant changes in our software.

Since the first pass through this process is almost complete, the time has arrived to write down everything I have learned.  Next time around, I am going to stay in the planning process until I discover all of the work that must be completed.  Countless reasons exist to follow the planning process from idea through design.

• Fewer surprises – Once I determine the components of my next product, I will know what I have to do to complete the work.  Every time I turned a corner, more tasks came into view.  I do not want any more surprises.
• Lower costs – That first product requires multiple investments that add up quickly.  In the future, the other products will rest on the foundation I have laid this time.  Budgets are more than just obnoxious barriers to spending.
• Realistic expectations – The amount of time I have invested in this first product takes me back to my early programming days when we took changes of clothes to the office.  Now, I just eat at the computer.  Probably not the best approach for my health or sanity.

Our lessons seem to come around multiple times in life.  Every product creation venture will get easier as long as I remember to follow the process I learned so many years ago.

Plan. . . Design. . . Create

That is a linear approach without any circular qualities.

What have you learned in your journey thus far?

Leave a comment and join the conversation!

— Mialei