No Perfect Circles

As a digital product manager, it's natural to want to create the perfect product. After all, a product that is seamless, intuitive, and delivers exactly what the user needs is the ultimate goal. But as any product manager knows, the pursuit of perfection is never-ending. There will always be ways to improve and optimize a product, and the constant drive to make it better can be exhausting.

But why is perfection in a product so elusive? One reason is that perfection is subjective. What one user considers to be the perfect product may not be the same for another. Different users have different needs and preferences, and it's impossible to create a product that meets the needs of every single person.

Another reason perfection is unattainable is that technology is constantly evolving. As new technologies emerge, they open up new possibilities for product development. This means that even if a product is perfect at one point in time, it may no longer be considered perfect as new technologies and user expectations change.

But perhaps the biggest reason perfection is unattainable is because it's simply not realistic. No product is ever going to be perfect, and striving for perfection can be detrimental to the overall success of a product. Here are a few reasons why it's okay that perfection is unattainable:

1. Perfection is time-consuming and costly. Pursuing perfection can take an enormous amount of time and resources, which can be detrimental to a product's success. Time and resources that could be spent on other important areas, such as marketing and customer support, are instead devoted to chasing after an impossible goal.

2. Perfection can hold back innovation. If product managers are too focused on making a product perfect, they may be less likely to take risks and try new things. This can stifle innovation and prevent a product from evolving and improving over time.

3. Perfection is not necessary for success. While it's important to create a high-quality product, it's not necessary for it to be perfect. In fact, many successful products are not perfect, but they still manage to deliver value to their users.

Customer value is all that matters

Instead of striving for perfection, product managers should focus on delivering value to their users. This means creating a product that meets the needs of the target audience and delivers on its intended purpose. It's important to listen to user feedback and continuously optimize and improve the product, but this can be done without the need for perfection.

While the pursuit of perfection in a digital product may seem like a noble goal, it's ultimately unattainable. Perfection is subjective, technology is constantly evolving, and striving for perfection can be detrimental to a product's success. Instead of chasing perfection, product managers should focus on delivering value to their users and continuously improving and optimizing the product. It's okay that perfection is unattainable, as long as the product is meeting the needs of its users and delivering value.