A product team develops a product in steps. It starts with the customer’s problem and ends with a tested product. Design thinking gives five steps: empathise, define, ideate, prototype and test. This post gives you each step as a team checklist.
Learn these skills in the course Product Development (BD-PD), module 1.
Who This Is For
Sales and marketing teams who now develop a product, often with no product department.
The Five Steps as a Team Checklist
| Step | What the Team Does | Output |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Empathise | Talk to five customers. Watch them do the job. | Notes in the customers’ words |
| 2. Define | Write the one problem worth solving. | A problem statement in one sentence |
| 3. Ideate | List many ideas. Choose three to test. | A shortlist of three ideas |
| 4. Prototype | Make a simple version of each idea. | A sketch, a mock-up or a sample |
| 5. Test | Show the prototypes to customers. Record what they do. | Feedback and the next decision |
How to Run It as a Project Team
- Name one owner for the project.
- Include one person from sales, one from operations and one from finance.
- Set a date for the end of each step.
- Meet once a week for 30 minutes. Review the output of the step.
Example: A Bakery Supplier
Take a bakery supplier in Johor. The sales team heard that small bakeries waste flour. The team talked to six bakers, defined the problem and tested a 5-kg pack. Orders came in the second month.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting with the idea, not the problem.
- Skipping the test because the team likes the idea.
- A project with no owner and no dates.
Try It This Week
Call two customers. Ask what part of their work takes too long. Write their answers word for word.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need a large budget?
No. A prototype can be a drawing or a hand-made sample.
What comes after the test?
You refine the idea into a minimum viable product (MVP). Then you test it with real buyers.
Next Step
Read the full outline of Product Development (BD-PD). Public classes: 10 and 11 February 2027; 14 and 15 April 2027. All dates are on the Training Calendar. For a group from your company, get a quote for in-house training. More Work Tips are in the skill area Product. Read also:
