Lessons Learned from Failed Product

"Fail early, fail often, but always fail forward" ~ John C Maxwell

Hey there, fellow product enthusiasts! Today, let's dive into a crucial aspect of product success. We'll explore the lessons we can learn from a real-life example, School Axxx, I am trying not to disclose the name as it has been launched afterwards. I will discuss how to effectively handle failures along the way. So, buckle up and let's jump in!

To fail forward means that you have chosen to respect each failure for the lessons it teaches you, and to apply those lessons to future efforts, even if those efforts may also fail - Theknowledge

Let me give a background of the product, I might mention the name of the product at the end of this article that's if I have a good reason why I should.

SchoolAxxx is a company that helps African students study at top US universities. They offer a variety of services, including academic scholarship matching, talent scholarship matching, exam registration and prep services, visa interview prep services, student accommodation, and mentorship matching. School Axxx was founded in 2022 by a group of Nigerian entrepreneurs who were passionate about making international education more accessible to Africans. It was supposed to be launched in 2021 but there was a delay.

School Axxx is trying to solve a number of problems for African students who want to study in the US. First, the cost of international education can be prohibitive for many students. School Axxx helps students find scholarships and other financial aid to make their education more affordable. Second, the application process for US universities can be complex and time-consuming. School Axxx provides students with personalized guidance and support throughout the application process. Third, moving to a new country can be daunting, especially for students who have never been outside of Africa before. School Axxx helps students with everything from finding housing to getting a visa to adjusting to life in the US.

I want to share a personal experience that taught me the importance of perseverance and adaptability in product management. Join me as we delve into the story of SchoolAxxx, a project that came my way halfway through when the previous team encountered insurmountable difficulties. Let's explore the valuable lessons learned from restarting the project from scratch after facing issues with the existing codebase.

I started off with the previous codebase with a new team under pressure to meet up with the previous team's timeline, I won't do that again trust me.

Lesson 1 - Assessing the scope and challenges

When the School Axxx project was handed over to me, it was clear that we were in for a rough ride. The previous team had encountered significant difficulties with the existing codebase, leading to a stagnation of progress. To determine the best course of action, we conducted a thorough assessment of the codebase and project scope. This assessment provided insights into the magnitude of the challenges and set the stage for the path ahead.

Despite our best efforts, after several attempts, restarting the project becomes the only viable option. School Axxx taught us the importance of embracing a fresh start when confronted with insurmountable codebase issues. Although disheartening, starting over allowed us to build a solid foundation and address the underlying technical hurdles that hindered progress.

Lesson 2 - Leveraging & Learning

Drawing from the experiences of the initial team's struggles, we conducted a comprehensive analysis to understand the root causes of the codebase challenges. This introspection provided valuable insights that guided our approach during the restart. We leveraged the lessons learned, avoided previous pitfalls, and implemented more robust development practices to ensure a smoother journey moving forward.

Despite our dedicated efforts, we faced another hurdle; insufficient time. School Axxx taught us the importance of setting realistic expectations when faced with time constraints. We had to make tough decisions, prioritize critical features, and ensure that our limited time was focused on delivering a viable product. Balancing time constraints with quality and customer value is a perpetual challenge, but one that we learned to navigate with agility. This was the toughest thing ever to do as a product manager, running out of time can be stressful and overwhelming at the same time.

Lesson 3 Fostering a Culture of Learning and Resilience

Throughout the journey of School Axxx, one lesson resonated: the importance of fostering a culture of learning and resilience. We embraced the setbacks as opportunities for growth, encouraged a growth mindset within the team, and celebrated the small victories along the way. By cultivating a supportive environment that emphasized continuous learning and adaptability, we emerged stronger as a team. We didn't finish the job but we did a lot in a short while that impressed most of the stakeholders, thankfully they went on the launching the product the following year with a different team but that effort we put in gave me a place in their hearts that they came back we a new product this year with my team.

The project taught me invaluable lessons about perseverance, adaptability, and the unpredictable nature of product management. Remember, in the world of product management, setbacks are not failures; they are stepping stones on the path to success. Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn, evolve, and deliver better products in the future. Stay committed, be open to new approaches, and never lose sight of the lessons that each project brings.

Share your thoughts, experiences, or any questions in the comments below. Let's continue this journey together, supporting and learning from one another.

Check the final product here schoolaxis though it was launched with another team. It has robust features, it's a web application.

Wishing you resilience and growth in your product management endeavours and do not forget to share this.