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How do you collect new ideas and layout specific plans to make the ideas into a finished product?

by Alexey Shashkov

Hey, inspired indie hackers!

I'm so curious how you collect new product ideas and layout specific plans to make the ideas into a finished product.

Which Product Management Software or other organizational tools do you use in your daily work?

posted to
Product Management
 on December 15, 2021
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  1. 2

    For new product ideas - I find the problems in the current way of doing things or if I can improve the process.
    Once I find the problem -
    1st - I'd talk with customers to find what they hate or like the most.
    2nd - I'd develop only that one or two things they hated or liked the most.
    The way I'd develop -
    1st - design on paper or any prepare mockups
    2nd - test the design or debate the design with friends or with customers
    3rd - I'd develop right away.
    Product management software -
    I tried to use Trello. But I didn't like much. I didn't try anything else. I found Google sheet is best to track anything and everything for now - when the team size is <10.
    Hope this helps. If there is anything else, feel free to ask.

    shadowing
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    2 years ago
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    1. 1

      Hi, Jwalant! I appreciate your reply, thanks!

      I'm curious, what is the hardest part of this process for you?

      shashcoffe
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      2 years ago
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      1. 2

        customer interviews are the hardest part. If you can crack those, understand the requirements & prioritize them, you will get to know what to work on.

        shadowing
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        2 years ago
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        1. 1

          Jwalant, what are the best practices for doing customers interviews for you? How do you conduct them?

          shashcoffe
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          2 years ago
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          1. 2
            1. Practice a lot on what to ask before you take customer interviews - make sure you have questions ready. What to ask and when? There might be a time when you might have to ask 5th question early in the interview. Be real. Make sure you are having a conversations rather than just asking questions. You won't know anything if you just ask.
            2. Listen very carefully and reply or ask followup question - Again you should know why you are doing this interview and what's your goal? Be real.
            3. Who are you talking to? - who is your customer? - who is your actual customer? - In our case, I made sure I am having atleast 10 best customer interviews. Best customers in this interview process - future customers or replica of future customers. And 10 other customers to whom I'd sell after 6 months.
            shadowing
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            2 years ago
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            1. 1

              Awesome! Thanks for your guide, Jwalant!

              What’s the hardest part of that process for you? And how many customer interviews have you already conducted in Dec?

              shashcoffe
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              2 years ago
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              1. 2

                Hardest part is to - 1. find the right customer, 2. to remember and write everything from the conversations. I record the video of interviews with their permission. I started taking to customers since June, 2021 for 3 months, then I just worked on design and flow for 1 month. and then 1 month for dev. I talk with my customers every week. Customers = new signups. Always ask - why did they signup and what are their expectations? - They were surprised when I ask them to talk with me for 1 hour or 30 mins. But that's the best way to learn more about the problems they are facing.

                Cheers.
                Happy Holidays!!

                shadowing
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                2 years ago
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                1. 2

                  Jwalant, I really appreciate your replying! I owe you one!

                  Happy Holidays to you too, man!

                  How do you find the right customers for interviews now?

                  Have you already tried any solutions to make "remembering & writing from the interviews" easy? How do you do that now?

                  I'd like to have a conversation with you and talk to you more about it. Can we hop on a Zoom call?

                  shashcoffe
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                  2 years ago
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                  1. 2

                    Sure Alexey. I hope you had great holidays too. Let's talk this week or next. Weekends are great.

                    1. Record if it's virtual or Google doc. Take some time to take notes before asking next question, so that you can write. I usually write when customer speaks.
                    2. Let's talk next weekend if you are available.
                    shadowing
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                    2 years ago
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                    1. 1

                      Hi, Jwalant! Sorry for the delay. A lot of work.

                      I'm not available this week but I can hop on a Zoom call next week. Can you share your Calendly?

                      shashcoffe
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                      2 years ago
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