As a SaaS product guy, I’ve had the privilege of working with numerous founders, helping them bring their product ideas to life. From design to strategy to development, I’ve seen it all. But time and again, I’ve encountered founders who come to me in desperation, their projects stuck in what I like to call “development hell.”
Sound familiar? Missed sprint deadlines, major quality issues, feature creep, and a never-ending stream of excuses from your team? You’re not alone.
Here’s the thing: building software isn’t rocket science. But shipping a quality product quickly? That requires aligning three crucial pillars:
- Product vision & features
- Realistic deadlines
- A qualified team
In this post I’ll dive in to the third pillar – the one where I see founders stumble most often.
The Team Makes the Dream
A fellow founder and mentor once shared a pearl of wisdom that’s stuck with me: “Building a startup is more about building the right team and less about the product. The product is just the outcome.”
Let that sink in for a moment.
You can have a groundbreaking vision, rock-solid market validation, and all the funding in the world. But with the wrong team? Your product will suffer – if it ever sees the light of day at all.
5 Red Flags Your App is Headed for Trouble
If you’ve been consistently struggling with shipping or quality issues, watch out for these warning signs:
- Failed Vision Alignment: Your team should know what your vision is, and it is your job to make them as passionate about your product as you are. If they’re not on the same page, it shows in the final output.
- Poor Product Management: Without clear direction, priorities and expectations, even the most talented developers can end up spinning their wheels.
- Low Quality Output: Experience matters. A team that consistently delivers subpar work might be in over their heads.
- Consistently Missed Deadlines: Once is an accident, twice is coincidence, but three times? That’s a pattern you can’t ignore.
- Wrong Technologies Used: Using the right tools for the job is crucial. The wrong tech stack might add unnecessary complexity, time and headaches.
The Path Forward
Recognizing these red flags is the first step. But what comes next? Assess who you are working with. Is this the right team? Are they passionate? Do they deliver? (Spoiler alert: sometimes, the kindest thing you can do – for yourself, your product, and yes, even your team – is to make some tough decisions).
Remember, your dream of launching a successful app isn’t just about lines of code or fancy features. It’s about the people behind those lines, the team turning your vision into reality.
Building the right team is an art and a science. It’s challenging, sometimes frustrating, but ultimately rewarding.
And when you get it right? That’s when you ship.
In the meantime, take a hard look at your team. Are they truly equipped to bring your vision to life?
Your startup’s future may depend on it.
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