PLANNING
Throwing Spaghetti at the Wall
The risks of building features without a plan
They threw all the ideas with might,
Hoping something would stick just right.
But what’s on display,
Is a mess, not the way,
To build products that shine bright.
"Throwing Spaghetti at the Wall" refers to the scattershot approach where teams launch a variety of ideas or features, hoping one will resonate with users. While experimentation is key in product development, this method lacks focus and strategy. Instead of testing meaningful hypotheses, teams waste time and resources trying everything, leading to confusion, lack of a cohesive product, and diminished value for customers.
Symptoms
Confused feature set. Products or updates feel disjointed, with features that don’t cohesively fit together. Users struggle to see the value in the product because the features seem like a collection of experiments rather than a unified solution.
Confusion of product direction. The team may be unclear on the long-term product vision. Each new feature or idea feels like a pivot, with no clear rationale behind why it’s being tested or launched.
Confused customers. Users may be overwhelmed or confused by the number of features or changes being released, especially if those features don’t align with their needs or the product’s core value proposition.
Ineffective experiments. While experiments are a normal part of product development, the lack of focus means that teams aren’t testing hypotheses in a structured way. This leads to inconclusive results and a waste of time and resources.
Consequences
Diluted brand and product identity. Constantly shifting between features and ideas confuses users, making it difficult for them to understand what your product is truly about. This can erode trust and loyalty.
Resource drain. Throwing resources behind multiple initiatives without a clear focus spreads the team too thin. Rather than investing in building and refining key critical features, the team constantly shifts gears, which leads to burnout and inefficiency.
Difficulty in measuring success. Teams struggle to determine what's working without a structured approach to testing and launching features. This lack of clarity makes it difficult to make informed decisions about the product’s future direction.
Recommendations
Set a clear hypothesis for every experiment. Before launching any feature or idea, ensure that it’s tied to a clear hypothesis about customer problems or user behavior. This allows the team to measure the impact of each test in a structured way.
Focus on core value. Re-align the team around the product’s core value proposition. Ensure that any new features being tested build on this value and don’t distract from it. Customers are more likely to engage with a product that solves a clear problem consistently.
Communicate clearly with customers. Make sure customers understand the value behind new features or tests. Clearly communicate why changes are being made and how they’re intended to improve the user experience.
"Throwing spaghetti at the wall" can lead to a lot of effort with little reward. While testing and experimentation are vital to product development, they should be done strategically, with clear goals and a focus on delivering value. By grounding ideas in hypotheses, prioritizing based on impact, and using feedback to iterate, teams can innovate in a way that’s efficient, user-centered, and ultimately successful.
