Behind the delivery of every successful product launch or the implementation of a new solution is a product team. With product teams hustling behind the scenes, their purpose and benefits are often overlooked, and yet they are one of the most valuable assets in the end to end delivery and support of a solution or product.

So what is a product team? In a nutshell, product teams pivot the old approach of projects & support into a more modern customer aligned model. Instead of working on items individually, which can often cause siloes, product teams blend together larger roadmap initiatives, project delivery, support, minor enhancements and operational maintenance of the solution into a single scalable team, where work is continuously prioritised to meet changing needs.

Here we explore the advantages of having a structured product team approach and the impact they can have on your bottom line. 

Align customer and business needs 

Product Teams are in the unique position of grasping the needs of the business and customer with the current position of the market, essentially equipping them with the ability to design both short and long term situations to reflect the needs of the client. 

At ClearPoint we validate, evaluate and deliver against business requirements and the needs of the market – will this solve a problem or disrupt an established solution? How does it meet both external and internal needs? 

By developing a methodology that encompasses understanding the customer vision, competitive landscape and scope of the solution or product, the product team is immersed in both worlds, with a clear view of what the business wants to achieve and the end-customer’s behaviours, motivations and requirements. 

Increased efficiency 

There are many benefits to taking a Product Team-first approach, including aligned delivery. Product teams are not made up of purely technical people – they include delivery leads and managers who scope and plan continuously to deliver the cross-functional skills the customer needs. 

Cross-functional skills are a key ingredient in any product team, which increases the efficiency of output and enables the team to flex according to demand. This flexibility allows new roles to be sourced to scale up existing teams, or establish new product teams as requested by initiatives on the roadmap. 

Continuous improvement 

ClearPoint takes capability and growth seriously; building knowledge and value for our customer is a key outcome and this approach will apply to many product teams worth their salt. 

While the majority of this learning and development will be intentionally planned and incorporated into the agreed ways of working together, a hands-on approach with training is also a positive way of reinforcing new skills and a growth mindset. 

These activities complement sprint cycles that are usually held weekly or fortnightly to agree the mix of design, new features, tech debt and BAU. Sprints also include reviews, feedback, backlogs and a review of incidents as they arise – ensuring every action is measured against business outcomes and aligns with the scope of the project. 

Create long term value in existing teams 

The key to success with any product team is a structure that leans into the knowledge of each individual to create a collective powerhouse of expertise. Most product teams consist of cross-functional teammates that work in collaboration with the customer to deliver against the brief. 

Not only does this benefit the outcome of the solution, but it builds stability in the long term. ClearPoint actively engages with its customer’s teams to build capability and confidence that enables a high level of expertise to remain into the future. 

Future proofing 

By taking a continuous improvement and learning approach, in addition to structured planning to shape a roadmap, organisations will be in a better position to reduce risk and mitigate chances of failure. 

Product teams bring together the best minds for the job, producing a 360 degree view of market trends and conditions, customer needs, the competitor landscape and the requirements of the business. 

By harnessing this intelligence, leaders can shape a roadmap that flexes and moves with internal and external influences, testing every scenario and maximising resources. 

Tactics might include monthly and quarterly planning sessions with engagement from leaders across both teams to establish new initiatives, drafting new plans, updated business priorities and a review of deliverables. 

Continuous improvement also relies on governance that includes key stakeholders and takes an honest and constructive approach that seeks to recognise the evolution of the relationship. Product teams will work to performance scorecards and embrace a review of performance against OKRs as a way of charting their progress and confirming priorities against the roadmap.

In essence, Product Teams enable peace of mind throughout the process and provide the high level of expertise and management required to launch or evolve a product or solution. The value they bring is second to none  – people with these skills are highly sought after in the market – further highlighting their coveted position within any team. 

If you want to know more about Product Teams, finding the right tech partner or how to overcome some of the challenges you’re facing in your organisations, check out our resources or get in touch for a chat. 

If you find that you are encountering these challenges in your organisation and need to shift the dial to the Product Team approach, contact us today.