How to Know You’re Headed in the Right Direction

Imagine you’re hiking through the woods—sun filtering through the trees, birds chirping overhead, and your path is clear… until it isn’t. Suddenly, you hit a fork, and you’re left wondering which way to go. When building a product or feature for your users, it can feel just like that. So, how do you make sure you're headed in the right direction?

1. Start With the ‘Why’

Before you can get anywhere, you need to understand why you're going there in the first place. Often, teams rush into the what—what features are needed, what tech to use, what the timeline is. But without a clear grasp of why this product should exist, you're setting off on a path without a compass.

Pro Tip: Always begin by asking the right questions. What problem are you solving? Why is this important to the users? If you’re not crystal clear on these points, pause. Getting them wrong means going off-course later.

2. Set the Right Goals (Hint: They’re Not Just Features)

Once you’ve nailed the why, it’s time to set your goals. And no, this doesn’t just mean deciding what features to build. Product goals should always link back to user needs and business outcomes. The right goals will keep you from wandering aimlessly in the woods of product design.

Instead of “build a cool new feature,” think about goals like “increase user retention by solving X problem.” It gives your project focus and allows you to adjust when things inevitably change.

3. Embrace User Research Like a Trail Map

Skipping user research is like hiking without a map—you might get somewhere, but it probably won’t be where you intended. Deep dive into who your users are, their pains, and their gains. User interviews, surveys, and data analysis all help build a fuller picture of what your users actually need. And that will always keep you moving in the right direction.

Pro Tip: Use methods like empathy mapping and journey mapping to get a 360-degree view of your users’ experience. This will ensure you’re creating a product that fits their needs, not just your assumptions.

4. Product Discovery: Blaze the Right Trail

Product discovery is all about making sure you’re working on the right things before you start building. It’s a bit like scouting ahead on your hike to see what lies further down the trail. Use this phase to explore, experiment, and validate your ideas.

5. Iterate, Don’t Wander

Once you’ve started building, don’t just plough forward assuming you’re still on the right path. Regular checkpoints—whether through testing, feedback loops, or analytics—are crucial to ensure you’re not wandering off-course. Your product should evolve based on what you learn, making small course corrections along the way.

6. Involve Stakeholders—But Don’t Let Them Distract You

When you're out on a hike, too many opinions about which way to go can leave you circling back to where you started. Similarly, involving too many stakeholders can derail progress. Keep everyone informed, but be selective about whose feedback guides the product direction.

Pro Tip: Set clear expectations early on with your stakeholders about the goals and user needs that are driving your decisions. This will help keep everyone aligned.

7. Use Data as Your Compass

Your analytics are like your trusty compass—constantly guiding you and ensuring you're still headed in the right direction. As you start rolling out your product or feature, lean heavily on data to understand what’s working and what’s not.

8. Don’t Be Afraid to Pivot

Sometimes, despite all your best efforts, you realise the path you're on isn't leading where you’d hoped. Don’t be afraid to backtrack and find a new trail. Pivoting doesn’t mean failure; it means you’re willing to make the tough decisions that will ultimately deliver a better product.

Out of the woods

In the world of product development, it’s easy to take a wrong turn. But with a clear understanding of your goals, a commitment to your users, and regular feedback from the trail ahead, you can stay on track. Remember, just like any good hike, building a product is about enjoying the journey as much as it is about reaching the destination.