I can’t keep in mind precisely when it was, or the way it got here to be, however early in my profession, I discovered that product individuals have been liable for the what of product improvement, and builders have been liable for the how. The what being what the answer is, and the how being how it’s in the end applied.
I carried that concept with me for a really very long time. “I’m the what, they’re the how.” I suppose that the good thing about such readability, when put into follow, is that improvement tended to really feel much less like product was encroaching on their territory, and likewise, product tended to really feel a sure degree of authority in proudly owning the what.
On the identical time, I may decide up on emotions of resentment on either side when both was excluded from enter because of such invisible strains. For instance, my developer companions all the time had perception that was essential to find out what must be constructed — not simply how. And in the event that they weren’t included early on within the discussions, I may reliably depend on some hesitancy down the street when it got here time to develop. To not point out the potential eye rolls or facet conversations about being requested to implement a “silly concept.”
On the danger of complicated anybody who hasn’t spent over a decade utilizing these nuanced phrases, after I discuss with what, I don’t simply imply the concept for an answer. I imply its necessities, too. It’s the reply to the query, “What are we creating?” and it encompasses not solely the broad class (aka, a widget) however what the widget we’re creating does for its customers.
And after I discuss with how, I imply the implementation plan. The expertise, instruments, and processes that can make the what get executed.
I’ve discovered that separating the what and the how of a product resolution solely works in groups and organizations which might be culturally territorial. So long as everyone seems to be pleased with that association, no hurt, no foul. It’s not preferrred, for causes talked about above. Nevertheless, if everyone seems to be glad of their bins, it could actually work. To ensure that it to achieve success, groups should keep of their designated lanes…
