A Product Manager's Red Flag Phrase 🚩

June 5, 2023

Happy Monday everyone! There is a lot going on in the Cleveland Product scene, so let’s get to it!

Article of the Week

Product managers love to get stuff done as quickly as possible. So do senior executives. And Sales and Engineering. But when moving fast, there are lots of things to watch out for to make sure you make progress yet limit harm to existing customers.

One phrase that always scare me when we move fast, and it throws a red flag 🚩 every time I hear it: “1-line code change”. It normally means the change is simple and is meant with positive intent. But there is danger lurking behind that phrase. Why?

  • Too simple - Any change to the software can have ripple effects, some of which can be anticipated, some of which are unforeseen. This phrase makes it sound like the code could be changed in a few minutes, yet ignores the fact that there are requirements, automated test scripts, and documentation required to fully support it.

  • Risk Factors - The code was built the way it was originally, so even when a simple change is needed - even if it is only one line - could ignore some risk factors. This is particularly important if the code is old and may result in refactoring or the introduction of technical debt, both of which could expand the scope now or later.

  • Lack of Collaboration - This phrase is usually one person’s opinion and not the opinion of the entire team. Even if this phrase is uttered by the engineer that knows the code the best, the team may have other ideas (fellow engineers, architects, or infrastructure team members) on how to solve the problem in a more efficient, creative, or strategic way.

1-line code changes are normally great, and indicates that the bug could be fixed quickly or a new feature could be launched quickly. But be careful about what could be lurking behind that phrase. 🚩

Recent Events

Last week we had our first in-person Product Lean Coffee, and what an event it was! We discussed engaging topics about Product consulting, the Cleveland entrepreneurial ecosystem, story mapping, Product job descriptions, and lots of other topics.

Keep an eye out for more of our future in-person Product Lean Coffees!

Product Jobs of the Week

The Product roles at Cleveland companies keep rolling in!

About the Author

My name is Shawn Leitner. I started the Cleveland Product networking group in 2017, which helps to connect Product professionals around Cleveland, providing them with a forum to network, learn, and share stories. For my day job, I'm a Product Consultant & Coach for Pathfinder Product and help clients implement strong Product practices so they can create products that their teams love building and their customers love using. Connect with me on LinkedIn or feel free to attend one of my events either virtually or in-person. Always up for meeting for a cup of coffee also!