The perfect product management tool

- Well, folks, if you came to this video to find out what the perfect software tool is, I'm sorry to disappoint you. Unfortunately, the perfect product management software just doesn't exist. Believe me, I've looked. Finding that perfect product management tool has been a career-long pursuit of mine. I mean, how hard could it be? All anyone wants in a product management software is a perfect friction-free way to log roadmaps, metrics, goals, completed and in-progress work, A/B test results, reports on team efficiency, and a million other things. Oh, and also, it's gotta be compatible with every conceivable way of working, by all team members, and every combination of other software every other team uses, as well. Maybe, someday this software will come out, but, for now, I've got good news for ya. It's not really a big deal that it doesn't exist. Why? Well I've worked at a lotta companies using a lotta different software to track projects. In my experience, the problem is more the way the software is used by teams, rather than the software, itself. Of course, some software is actually horrible. And, I won't mention any names, although I'd like to shame one software, in particular, here, but proper usage is culprit number one, in my experience. Let's imagine you're looking to step up your product development game by either buying that fancy new software you saw recently, or just by revamping your current one. Here's a few tips to help you succeed. Whether you're getting a new software, or planning to start from scratch with the one you already have, the first step is to pay very close attention to how everyone in your team or company is doing it right now. Discuss how teams in product development are getting things done. Some may be using a spreadsheet, and others may be using a software. From there, listen intently and establish a list of needs from each person. Collate those needs into a comprehensive list. Secondly, ensure that any software you're considering switching to fits those needs exactly. If people are heavily dependent on integration with GitHub, and the one you're looking at has no integration, nix it. If you're looking at revamping your current use of a software, spend a ton of research hours understanding how to make it work for everyone's needs. Thirdly, make a decision. This one is big. Don't waver between various products and free trial periods, or your organization will only suffer, and people will become fatigued with the idea of another change. Fourth, once you've got the new software in your possession, spend a lot of time thinking and deciding exactly how your team processes will work using that software. Invite only one or two major stakeholders to approve your final decision, and under no circumstances should you turn this into a committee meeting. Be sure to clearly document the way you'd intend to use it. Lastly, educate every single individual on the new software and process. Hold group sessions, and make sure documentation is readily available. The key to maximizing productivity in shared project management software is ensuring absolute consistency. Don't do a switchover to your new software until everyone is completely comfortable with how it will work. Now, the good news is that productivity in software comes from continuity. The harder news is that you're going to have to do a lot of work to make sure you implement the right process in the first place. But, as with all things, your work will not go unnoticed, and team productivity will surge, as a result.