Product teams perform at their best with autonomy
But it comes with responsibility and accountability.
I believe in giving product teams, which consist of product managers, designers, and engineers, the autonomy to validate the problem they are trying to solve and identify and build the solution. I think it's essential to provide them with clear expectations and goals so that they can take ownership of their work, which fosters individual growth and a strong team environment.
However, this autonomy also comes with accountability. Individuals must take responsibility for their roles within the team, and it should be clear who is responsible for what. This isn't about blaming individuals when things go wrong. Instead, it's about giving individuals the authority to make tough decisions with the responsibility that comes with it.
Recently, I learned about Intercom's accountability guidelines, which consist of eight guidelines that emphasize accountability and responsibility. For the sake of brevity, I will share three of them with you:
If the analysis of the problem to be solved is incorrect, it’s on the PM. Ensure appropriate research is done.
If the design doesn’t address the problem, it’s on the Designer. Ensure you understand the research and problem.
If engineering doesn’t deliver what was designed, or delivers it late, it’s on the Eng Lead. Ensure you understand the problem being solved and design, plan appropriately and accurately before writing code.
Following these guidelines, the product manager is accountable for ensuring the team is solving the right problem. Similarly, designers are responsible for ensuring that the design is a suitable solution, while the engineering leads are responsible for delivering the specified solution on time.
It's crucial to have a balance of responsibilities across the team, and no single individual should take on the responsibility of validating the problem, designing the solution, and delivering the build. This is why the trio of Product Manager, Product Designer, and Engineering Lead is so important, and why there needs to be a healthy collaboration across the three disciplines
