Notes by @abhia90 // newsletter // youtube

Link to Paul Buchheit's article here

Summary:

• Pick 3 key attributes or features, get those things very, very right, and then forget about everything else; By focusing only on a few core features in the first version, you're forced to find the true essence and value of the product.

• Biggest misconception— "more features = better" —> this is the reason why so many otherwise smart people are bad at product design (e.g. most open source projects)
• What's the right approach to new products?
  • Pick 3 key attributes or features, get those things very, very right, and then forget about everything else —> forces you to find the true essence and value of the product
  • Ex: 1st gen iPod
    • was: 1) small enough to fit in your pocket, 2) had enough storage to hold many hours of music and 3) easy to sync with your Mac (most hardware companies can't make software, so I bet the others got this wrong). That's it -- no wireless, no ability to edit playlists on the device, no support for Ogg -- nothing but the essentials, well executed.
  • Ex: Original Gmail
    • was 1) fast, 2) stored all of your email (back when 4MB quotas were the norm), and 3) had an innovative interface based on conversations and search; Didn't have 2nd or 3rd order features
  • Obviously, those other features can be added or improved later on, but if the basic product isn't compelling, adding more features won't save it.

If you're creating a new product, what are the 3 (or fewer) key features that will make it so great that you can cut or half-ass everything else? Are you focusing at least 80% of your effort on getting those 3 things right?

<aside> ⭐ All information is owned by Y Combinator. I claim no ownership of this information.

</aside>

by @abhia90 // newsletter // youtube