The Project Management Triangle: Launching Products Users ACTUALLY Want
Software development is not just about the end product. Features can be executed perfectly, but still leave users unsatisfied if the product is not aligned with their needs, wants, and capabilities. Without mindful project management, new features can become shelfware in a few frustrating clicks.
From ensuring seamless product adoption to balancing stakeholder expectations, the intricacies of managing change and delivering value cannot be overstated.
In this episode of So You Think You Can Dev?, we sat down with Kathleen Lorey, Vice President of Strategic Services at Resicap. With extensive experience in product development, Kathleen shared her insights on everything from change management to the transformative role of data in product success.
Listen to the full episode, or read on for the highlights of our conversation with Kathleen.
The Core of Successful Product Management
At the heart of effective product development is the project management triangle: balancing time, scope, and resources with the customer at the center. This framework helps teams prioritize tasks and make trade-offs that align with stakeholder goals and user needs.
To execute the triangle effectively, teams must bridge the gaps between technology and business needs to ensure code is meeting the demands of end users.
That means talking to customers and stakeholders directly to understand their pain points. Even getting developers in the same room with customers can make a big difference in their approach, from asking clarifying questions to suggesting superior alternatives. A customer-first mindset matters:
“You can build the most beautiful product with all of the requirements done, but if you don’t have engagement from the business and if, from a product perspective, you’re not starting with the customer in mind, you’re going to be wasting a lot of those dev dollars,” Kathleen said.
This principle is essential for ensuring that products deliver measurable ROI.
Change Management: The Foundation of Product Adoption
Change management is critical when rolling out new products or enhancements. Identifying stakeholders and understanding their workflows is step one.
“In our requirements gathering meetings, we will ask, ‘How do you do this today? What is your workflow today?’ because that’s where we have to start,” Kathleen explained. “We have to create a breadcrumb trail from where they start to where we want them to be.”
Involving cross-functional stakeholders early in the process ensures alignment and reduces surprises during implementation. This collaborative approach fosters trust and often sparks inspiration among users, leading to broader applications of the tools developed.
“We were onboarding a new set of homes and showed our accounting team a process to add tenants to our systems. One of our users later came to us and said, ‘Hey, can we use this for a different process?’ That’s when you know you’ve done something right—when the business sees opportunities beyond the initial scope.”
Balancing Customer Expectations and Development Realities
Managing expectations and avoiding scope creep are constant challenges for development teams. Kathleen’s solution? Transparency and communication.
“We make it very transparent what is being worked on and, more importantly, what is not being worked on,” she shared. “Our leadership team is phenomenal about having productive conversations that align with the organization’s strategic goals.”
This clarity helps manage pushback and ensures that resources are allocated effectively, even when hard decisions need to be made.
Data’s Role in Product Success
Data plays an indispensable role in product development. Not only is data integral to demonstrating the value of new features or products, but leveraging data can inform the best possible development roadmap.
“Data has a seat at the table,” Kathleen noted. “When we’re doing our Agile planning or putting together sprint plans, we always have conversations about whether a release will impact current reporting or create opportunities for new reporting. Our leadership team needs to see that their investments are delivering the benefits they expect.”
Learn more about the intersection of data, automation, and product.
Looking Ahead: AI and Emerging Technologies
AI is at the forefront of many tech team conversations. Its potential to transform product development is no outlier. From personalized customer experiences to enhanced project management, 2025 will likely demonstrate the scope of AI in this regard.
“What I’m excited about is for AI to start identifying stakeholder groups,” Kathleen said. “AI could look at customer lists and attributes and say, ‘Hey, your customers are moving in town or out to the suburbs. Consider this as you’re building.’ It could provide trends we hadn’t considered, allowing us to tailor strategies effectively.”
Tools like ChatGPT and Claude AI have already enhanced team productivity by simplifying complex tasks and making technology more accessible. Now, tech leaders look ahead to new applications.
Women in Tech
As a woman in technology, Kathleen reflected on the importance of authenticity and mentorship in navigating challenges in product management.
“I’ve been successful when I’ve been my authentic self,” she said. “Using your own vulnerability and being transparent allows people to understand your perspective and fosters collaboration across silos.”
Her advice to others? Don’t be afraid to ask questions and share your perspective. Great communication and curiosity can break down silos and lead to better outcomes.
From prioritizing change management to leveraging data and emerging technologies, Kathleen’s insights underline a key principle: successful product development is as much about people as it is about technology.
“Agent plus human equals better product,” she said. “AI and other tools can make everyone’s day better when used to complement human creativity and collaboration.”
For more insights on building impactful products, talk to our team.
