A PM’s guide to calculated risk-taking

The concept of "asking for forgiveness rather than permission" is examined through the lens of product management, where it can lead to significant innovation or catastrophic consequences depending on the context. This philosophy is exemplified by companies like Netflix, Airbnb, and Uber, which disregarded conventional wisdom to disrupt industries. However, the Midjourney case highlights the potential pitfalls, as the company faces a lawsuit from Disney and Universal Studios for copyright infringement, illuminating the expensive side of bypassing legal permissions. The text emphasizes the importance of risk management, suggesting that while bold moves can lead to success, they must be backed by strategic reasoning and an understanding of potential costs. It advises product managers to distinguish between internal and external obligations, test controversial features on a limited scale, develop rapid response capabilities, and document their decision-making process. Ultimately, the principle of "forgiveness over permission" is not dismissed but is portrayed as incomplete advice that requires careful consideration of whether the potential forgiveness is affordable and justified by the results.