Mengying Li and Joe Mercer discuss the challenges founders face in evaluating whether their products are on the right path to success, particularly in balancing speed and confidence in product development. They outline a structured approach to navigating various stages of product development, from concept development to deprecation, emphasizing the importance of setting clear exit criteria and maintaining a flexible runway for resources. Each stage, whether it’s developing a minimum viable product (MVP), achieving product-market fit, or optimizing for growth, requires careful management of resources, customer feedback, and stakeholder alignment. The authors stress the importance of iterative testing and validation to ensure the product meets market needs while being prepared for potential risks and opportunities for expansion. The ultimate goal is to create a product that not only fits the market but also contributes to the overall ecosystem, eventually leading to sustainable growth or a graceful deprecation if necessary.