In the dynamic realm of product development, where complexity often dominates, there is a hidden gem that possesses immense power: the easier solution. It represents the ingenuity and vision of product managers who dare to challenge the norm and seek simplicity amidst the chaos.
Just this week, I witnessed the profound impact of finding an easier solution when my manager stood her ground when confronted with a seemingly urgent, insurmountable challenge. The development team insisted that their highly complex, user-experience nightmare proposed solution was the sole viable option. Undeterred by their claims, she persevered, determined to explore alternative paths that not only promised a smoother development process but also offered a superior user experience. Her unwavering belief in the power of finding an easier solution, while confronting the developers who told her no other options were available, left me inspired and convinced that simplicity holds the key to unlocking product success.
This incident led me to explore other success stories of product teams who insisted on finding easier solutions, despite the development team’s inclination toward complexity:
Apple’s iPhone
In the days when BlackBerrys were considered the world’s most extraordinary invention, Apple’s engineering team wanted to integrate a physical keyboard into the first iPhone. Apple’s product team, led by Steve Jobs, pushed for a simpler solution with a touchscreen interface. This decision revolutionized the smartphone industry.
Spotify’s Discover Weekly
Spotify faced the challenge of helping users discover new music amidst an extensive library. The development team initially considered complex algorithms to recommend songs based on user preferences. However, the product team introduced a simpler solution called Discover Weekly, which generated personalized playlists based on users’ listening habits and preferences. This feature became hugely popular and significantly improved music discovery on the platform.
Google’s Search Engine
When Google was initially developed, the prevailing approach to search engines involved ranking web pages based on the number of times a search term appeared. However, the product team, led by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, proposed a revolutionary algorithm called PageRank. This algorithm analyzed the quality and relevance of web pages based on the number and quality of links pointing to them, providing more accurate search results.
Twitter’s Character Limit
Twitter was originally designed as an SMS-based service that allowed users to send short messages to each other. The development team wanted to add more features to the service, which would have made it more complex. The product team decided to keep the service simple and focused on its core functionality. Therefore, Twitter’s iconic 140-character limit was initially a result of technical constraints in its early development stages. Keeping it simple enabled faster growth and adoption among users who were drawn to this format, and for years it has been one of its defining features. However, as the platform gained popularity and needed growth, Twitter finally enabled longer tweets.
need more than 280 characters to express yourself?
— Twitter Blue (@TwitterBlue) February 8, 2023
we know that lots of you do… and while we love a good thread, sometimes you just want to Tweet everything all at once. we get that.
so we're introducing longer Tweets! you're gonna want to check this out. tap this 👉…
Amazon’s One-Click Ordering
Amazon’s one-click ordering feature was born out of a desire to simplify the online shopping experience. Initially, the development team wanted to incorporate multiple steps and verifications into all checkout processes to ensure accuracy and prevent errors. However, the product team, led by Jeff Bezos, recognized the importance of reducing friction. They implemented a streamlined one-click ordering system that enabled customers to make purchases with a single click, eliminating the need for repetitive form filling.
Google Maps’ Mobile Version
When Google Maps was first introduced for mobile devices, the development team wanted to replicate the desktop version’s extensive features and complex interface. However, the product team recognized that users needed a simplified and intuitive mobile experience. They prioritized essential features such as directions, search, and real-time traffic updates while maintaining a clean and user-friendly interface. This decision led to the success of Google Maps as a go-to navigation app on mobile devices.
Slack’s Message Formatting
In the early stages of Slack’s development, the engineering team envisioned a feature-rich and complex user interface, for example, they wanted to include a wide range of formatting options for messages, similar to a word processor. However, the product team, guided by Stewart Butterfield, focused on simplicity and ease of use. They stripped away unnecessary elements, prioritized essential functionalities, and embraced a minimalist design approach. This decision contributed to Slack’s rise as a leading collaboration tool.
Instagram’s Filters
Instagram’s development team initially wanted to create a sophisticated photo editing suite with advanced editing tools. However, the product team recognized the appeal of simplicity and decided to focus on developing a set of beautiful and easy-to-use filters instead. This approach allowed users to enhance their photos effortlessly and added a unique aesthetic to the platform, contributing to its rapid growth and popularity.
Dropbox’s Simplified File Sharing
Dropbox initially considered implementing a complex system for sharing files and folders, involving intricate permission settings. However, the product team chose a simpler approach. They introduced a straightforward sharing system where shared users could be either viewers or editors, streamlining collaboration and making file sharing more intuitive.
In each of these examples, the product team played a crucial role in steering the development process toward simpler solutions. By understanding the importance of user experience, ease of use, and core functionalities, they were able to make informed decisions that prioritized simplicity over complexity, resulting in successful and widely adopted products.
So, let us remember the words of Leonardo da Vinci, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,” and strive to find the power in simpler solutions for our product development endeavors.