Here are some reasons why software projects may fail!
Implementing the solution given by the customer
The customer can explain their problem to us. However, the solution they think they want is usually not going to be creative enough and will not be the best way to address the root cause.
A business idea needs to be profitable. In order for it to be profitable, there should be a considerable amount of users willing to pay to benefit from the product.
Hence, solution design should be a carefully thought-out process.
Not understanding what the end user really wants
When conducting customer interviews, it is not so easy to understand the actual problem or the opportunity that lies within.
This could happen for multiple reasons - the user may be withholding information knowingly or unknowingly. If the interviewee refuses to give information, or you have the need to validate their interview results, find a way. It could be observations or research or asking an unrelated third party.
There are many different ways that you can dig deeper. The 5 Why’s framework is one of them. Look at the bigger picture.
Don’t give a solution to your interviewee then and there - before you even get to know the full picture. There is a higher chance that their answers may be biased then.
Not enough benefits
It is not worth your time to download and log into an app "just for that!"
This is probably because you didn’t research enough about your outcomes.
Not enough features or not enough benefits are generated from those features.
Being over-optimistic
Pure excitement should never be the reason you pursue an idea.
That gut feeling you have isn’t enough to go ahead without a solid backing.
Not accounting for risks
With over-optimism comes the habit of overlooking risks.
It will always be a good idea to do a comprehensive risk analysis before you kick off a project. Especially if it consumes a lot of time and effort - which is money.
Taking risks is a great part of being an entrepreneur or a project leader. Risks cannot be avoided altogether, but have a contingency plan.
Underestimating the power of competitors
If you hold onto an idea for too long, expect someone else to implement it.
In this fast-paced world, it doesn’t take too long for someone else to imitate you, or take your idea and make it better.
Build in features that build customer loyalty. Make sure they don’t feel at home in any other app. Build communities within your product in a way that makes it difficult to leave.
Customer acquisition costs! End customer retention should hit your list of priorities.
Feature factory
This is a syndrome that product people could easily be drawn into. In this fast-paced world, all you see are competitors trying to level up their game by building in features.
If you look closely, most of those features seem rushed. The quality and the user experience had become afterthoughts.
Not every feature your competitor implements is a feature you should have.
Try not to build every feature yourself. Instead, focus on building an ecosystem. There is absolutely no point in reinventing the wheel that works perfectly.
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