You are not your customer: How to avoid building the wrong product

Product managers often fall into the trap of believing they are their own customers, leading to decisions that may not align with actual customer needs. This mindset simplifies their tasks, but can result in developing products that do not resonate with the target audience, as illustrated by a failed project at Microsoft. To avoid such pitfalls, it is crucial for product managers to act as the voice of the customer by engaging with them directly, leveraging insights from sales and support teams, conducting surveys, analyzing product usage data, and staying informed about competitors. These strategies help ensure that products are developed based on genuine customer needs, ultimately leading to more successful outcomes in the market.