8 Steps to Build and Release Your Product On-Time

Most startup founders and product managers think it is impossible to release on time.

Product delays can significantly impact your startup.

From my experience, most delays arise from unclear requirements, scope creep, and inadequate planning.

Fortunately, there are ways to minimize these delays.

For the past five years, I’ve been deeply involved in the Agile transformation, product development, and launch of numerous consumer products. I have implemented systems, frameworks, and processes to build and consistently release our products on time.

Here are the 8 steps I use to build and release products on schedule:

1. Define Clear Goals

Clear goals = focused development and timely release.

Do this by:

? Setting specific, measurable objectives and them with your business strategy

? Clearly define requirements, create mockup and prototype to validate them

2. Use Agile Methodology

Agile keeps development flexible and responsive.

Implement Agile by:

? Holding regular sprints and stand-ups

? Iterating based on continuous feedback

3. Prioritize Features

Not all features are equal. Prioritize to avoid delays.

Identify key features by:

? Analyzing customer feedback for must-haves

? Using a scoring system to rank features

4. Create a Roadmap

A detailed roadmap and timeline keep everyone on track.

Build your roadmap by:

? Breaking large items into smaller ones, estimating and setting milestones for each of them

? Identifying risks and dependencies and Including buffer time for unexpected issues

5. Allocate Resources Wisely

Proper resource allocation ensures smooth development.

Optimize resources by:

? Assigning tasks based on team strengths

? Monitoring workload to avoid burnout

6. Communicate Effectively

Good communication prevents misunderstandings and delays.

Enhance communication by:

? Using collaboration tools like Teams, Slack, JIRA or Trello

? Scheduling regular release check-ins with the team

7. Test Early and Often

Frequent testing catches issues before they become problems.

Test effectively by:

? Running unit tests, in-sprint tests, and integration tests during development

? Conducting regression and user testing in real-world scenarios

8. Review and Adjust

A roadmap is a living document. Adjust as needed.

Maintain your roadmap by:

? Reviewing progress at each milestone

? Making adjustments based on new insights

I have used these steps multiple times to overcome delays, and trust me, they will work for you, too.

Are you curious to see how you can transform your releases? Schedule a free consultation with me to talk about your specific needs and find the best strategy for your team.

Let’s collaborate to make your product development process smoother and more efficient.