Prepare legacy-system discovery before a replacement
Replacing a legacy system requires more than a feature inventory. Discover hidden dependencies, operational workarounds, data meaning, and recovery expectations before choosing a replacement or estimating the transition effort.
Read MoreHandle conflicting stakeholder requests transparently
Conflicting stakeholder requests need a visible decision process, not a hidden compromise in the backlog. Compare underlying needs, expose non-negotiable constraints, and document who accepts the tradeoff before implementation begins.
Read MoreDefine success without inventing outcome metrics
A credible success measure needs a definition and an evidence source before it needs an ambitious target. Distinguish baselines, hypotheses, and observed results so a product proposal does not manufacture its own business case.
Read MoreTest a prototype before committing to implementation
A prototype should answer a risky question, not just impress a stakeholder. Select realistic tasks, observe users without coaching, and distinguish interface evidence from the technical proof required before implementation.
Read MoreSeparate product assumptions from verified requirements
A requirement can look authoritative simply because it appears in a polished document. Separate evidence, inference, and policy decisions so teams know which assumptions need testing before they become expensive commitments.
Read MoreRun a discovery workshop with decisions to make
A discovery workshop earns its time when it resolves a specific decision or exposes why that decision is premature. Prepare evidence, decision rights, and alternatives instead of starting with an unrestricted feature brainstorm.
Read MoreWrite acceptance criteria with concrete examples
Acceptance criteria should let business and delivery teams recognize the same result. Use concrete starting conditions, actions, and observable outcomes to expose ambiguous rules before they turn into disputed acceptance decisions.
Read MoreRecognize when spreadsheets need stronger operating controls
A spreadsheet does not need replacement simply because it is important. Evaluate editing rights, rule ownership, reconciliation, and recovery to decide whether stronger controls or a dedicated application are justified.
Read MoreIdentify the process owner before choosing software
Software cannot settle an unresolved question about who owns a business process. Identify decision rights across departments, exceptions, and ongoing operations before comparing products or delegating requirements to a vendor.
Read MoreChoose MVP scope without removing essential safeguards
An MVP should reduce the breadth of an experiment, not remove protections from a real operating workflow. Separate optional convenience from access, data integrity, and recovery requirements before cutting the first release.
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