When and why to kill your Product
Clear signs it's time to eliminate a Product or Service
Do you remember that product or service you invested months, perhaps years, of effort and dedication into, without seeing the expected results? We've all lived some version of this story. And yes, killing a product may sound brutal, but it is the most compassionate and effective action you can take for your business and yourself.
Let's take a moment to reflect: What keeps you attached to a dead product? As humans, we tend to value things more highly when we've invested significant effort into them. It's natural. Additionally, we have a strong desire to see projects evolve and grow. This unwavering spirit is fantastic for entrepreneurship, but it can also blind you when it’s time to admit failure and kill a product. And yes, at some point, you will have to accept that not everything you do will last forever (It's a good practice in detachment).
So, if you've been working hard on something without seeing the desired results, think about Google. Do you know how many hundreds of projects they've killed? Their philosophy is clear: if something doesn't add value according to specific metrics, they eliminate it. This represents a paradigm shift in how we understand success in product management. Killing products that do not add value is not a defeat; it demonstrates leadership and strategic clarity.
How can you cultivate this detachment?
Clear Metrics: Use clear metrics that objectively reflect the reality of the product (usage, engagement, user satisfaction, ROI).
Gain Perspective: Step back and assess if your product or service meets a real need. Have honest feedback conversations with users.
Analyze the Return: If the cost is high and the return low, that's a clear signal to eliminate the product, service, or feature.
By detaching from projects that no longer add value, you free up energy, resources, and talent that can be redirected toward new opportunities. Saying goodbye at the right time opens the door to fresh possibilities for your business and yourself.