Reflections and Insights: Wrapping Up "Continuous Discovery Habits"

At our latest book club meeting, we delved into the final chapters of Teresa Torres's "Continuous Discovery Habits," exploring key takeaways and discussing how they apply to our roles and projects.??

A top-level observation is – if we want to leverage the author’s ideas, we need to do as much iteration up front as we can. Once we ship, it's much harder to spin around in another direction that, for example, consumer style products.??

Here is a summary of what we covered:?

Measuring Impact and Focusing on What Matters?

We kicked off the discussion by reviewing the summary chapters of the book, which emphasize measuring impact. A crucial point was the importance of testing assumptions and outcomes, and not just moving on after delivering a product. We debated the value of iterative testing in production scenarios and agreed on the importance of not measuring everything, but rather focusing on what is necessary for effective testing.?

Challenges of Iterative Testing?

The conversation turned to the practical challenges of iterative testing, especially for enterprise products. Many of us shared concerns about the growing list of "come back to it" items and the difficulty of testing client data. The book challenged us to run AB tests in production, where real data and real users give the best information to iterate on. We don’t think that works for us and our clients. But our DevX environments might be great for that sort of thing.??

Managing Cycles and Course Corrections?

Chapter 12 prompted a lively discussion on managing cycles and quickly correcting course when assumptions do not pan out. We explored the balance between achieving short-term wins and tackling harder, long-term solutions. The concept of addressing sub-opportunities until we achieve the desired impact resonated with many of us, with examples like iterative improvements on a homepage illustrating the point.?

Communication and Stakeholder Involvement?

We also highlighted the importance of communication and involving stakeholders in the process. Tailoring messages to different stakeholders and incorporating feedback from those with deep industry knowledge were identified as key to gaining buy-in. The idea of "showing, not telling" emerged as a powerful way to engage stakeholders and build support.?

Reflecting on the Book and Personal Growth?

As we wrapped up, we took a moment to reflect on the book's impact and share personal growth stories. Many expressed appreciation for the fresh perspectives the book offered and the cross-departmental insights gained. For some, the lessons extended beyond work, influencing how they approach challenges in their personal lives.?

Looking Ahead: Future Book Club Plans?

Looking to the future, we discussed potential books in the next round of book club, plus how we might leverage what was done in this first round of book-club.??

A key observation was to try to pick books that target different aspects of the business. Continuous Discovery Habits targeted product management and some product development. Non-PM people found the book interesting to delve deeper into the challenges of product management, but also struggled with some of the content as it was outside of their interests and skills. Covering another aspect of the business will share the benefits and the challenges!??

A second suggestion was the target department, in this case the product management department, might find value in their whole team leveraging some of the content created for this book. A Reader’s Digest version of Book Club???

Our book club continues to be a fantastic opportunity for learning, growth and connection across the company. We are excited to see what the next book brings and how it will shape our thinking!?

What book should we read next? Share your suggestions and let’s keep the conversation going!??

About the Author?

Tim Kent, P. Eng. has been at Kahua for almost four years, working (primarily!) on the cost-related features of Kahua. ?He lives in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada with his wife, one of his three adult daughters, and his cute little dog. ???

Tim tries to make it down to the head office a few times a year, but he often hides in the back rooms. ?He does this because he heard good employees are hard to find.?