How to avoid wasting engineering resources

The disconnect between business and tech is an expensive problem.

On one of the projects, I was asked to “refresh” the app’s UI.

Did we do any user research to determine the impact of revamping a UI on our sales?

Did we make a few prototypes, show them to random users, and collect feedback?

Nope.

We just started redesigning it because the CEO didn’t like the old look.

Will it increase conversions? Reduce churn? Improve retention?

Let’s build it, and let’s see.

It didn’t.

The thing is…

You’re swinging in the dark if you’re not making educated guesses. You will probably score some hits, but it’s up to chance.

I learned the hard way to ensure that research has been done on whatever we want to invest engineering resources in.

That means product, tech, finance, and others need to work together. The CTO’s job is facilitating and growing a culture of numbers, not feelings.

It means saying no plenty and probably pissing some people off, including the CEO.

Engineering is a precious resource. You can only take a limited amount of swings.

You’d better make sure every single one counts towards the company’s goal.

P.S. What’s an extra step that you can take on your project to make sure you’re building the right thing? Let me know.

Yours,

Taj