Why Shift from Project to Product?
Team Topologies
Organize for fast flow of value - we help leaders design high-impact team-of-teams organizations.
Transitioning from a project-based approach to a product-driven mindset can significantly enhance how organizations deliver value and meet customer expectations. Unlike projects, which have a defined end date, products are continuously evolving and require adaptability to meet changing market needs. That ability for products - and thus teams - to quickly respond and adapt, requires an environment which is supportive of change. Many organizations today are restricted in that area, because of their structure and decision making processes. As Erica Engelen, Team Topology Valued Practitioner will say in a future talk at the Project to Product Summit “ Bureaucratic organizations are where products go to die”. Learn more about the event.
In 2019, Gartner predicted that 85% of organizations would have adopted? - or plan to adopt - a product-centric delivery model. By 2024, most digital leaders would benefit from this approach, with nearly 80% of IT organizations undergoing restructuring to embrace it. Clearly, this hasn’t happened. Yes, many organizations have tried it, but according to The 2023 Project to Product report, only 2% of project to product shifts are reaching maturity. This is scarily reminding us of the unchanging percentages of organizations who? keep failing at business and 70% of all digital transformations fail.
Afraid of failing or having trouble with your transformation? We are here to help. Book a call with our experts to breakdown your problem and solution.
Many organizations underestimate the change required to make this shift and treat it as local or fragmented optimization while it actually impacts the entire organization. Understanding your socio-technical system and how each small change impacts and triggers other aspects in your organizaiton to change as well, is crucial. Organizations must create an environment where empowered teams can adapt and innovate. This is where Team Topologies comes in. The shared vocabulary, practices and principles enable your teams to sense when change is needed, share it with each other and optimize instantly.?
How to Achieve a Product-Driven Transformation
Unlike traditional project management, which often emphasises short-term gains and immediate outputs, a product-driven approach focuses on sustained value and adaptability. Products are built for the future and we can’t control that.
As highlighted in Project to Product by Mik Kersten, this shift is essential for achieving faster flow and reducing bottlenecks—a core principle also emphasized in Team Topologies.
If you decide that a product-driven transformation is right for your organization, restructuring your teams and workflows is essential. Here are some practical steps that you could take:
领英推荐
Have questions about transitioning from project to product? Join our Open Forum with Rich Allen and Erica Engelen.
What’s Coming Up Next?
We are constantly on the lookout for events related to Team Topologies and the principles it embodies. Check all of the upcoming ones in our events section and do let us know if you missed any.
Last chance to attend the Expert Leadership Masterclass next week after the Fast Flow Conference.
Join the Community
As we are getting closer to launching the Team Topologies community we would love to hear your thoughts on potential topics for the working groups. Let us know what you think via this short survey.
Join the Team Topologies Community, a free space launching in autumn 2024, to connect with peers and experts on modern team-of-teams practices like Agile, DevOps, and Platform Engineering. Sign up now to stay updated and be part of this transformative movement.
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CMO at SolutionValley | Building revenue-driven products I DM to make your dream product a reality I Follow for value-driven posts
6 个月Transitioning to a product-driven model can unlock new opportunities, Team Topologies
Product Leader & Technical Innovator | Building Solutions That Impact Millions
6 个月Transitioning to a product-driven approach is crucial for modern success. Excited to explore Team Topologies for actionable insights and strategies, Team Topologies
It is staggering how many big organisations still spend most of their transformation budget on projects. All which end!
Head of PMO @ Advix | Fintech, Web3 & eCommerce | Driving Operational Excellence & Strategic Initiatives
6 个月I think the choice depends on your specific tasks and goals. Both the project approach and the product mindset come with their own sets of pros and cons. A project approach is ideal when you have a clear deadline, a defined outcome, and resource constraints. In contrast, the product model moves away from strict deadlines, favors short-term planning, and allows the team more autonomy in decision-making. Ultimately, a project has a finite end, while a product can continue to evolve and be improved over time. P.S. Thanks for sharing the helpful links!