Dynamic

Build It And They Will Come vs Customer Development

Developers should consider this methodology when working on innovative, niche, or highly technical products where user needs are not yet fully defined or when rapid prototyping and iteration are prioritized over validation meets developers should learn customer development when working on new products, startups, or innovative features to ensure they build solutions that solve real problems for users. Here's our take.

🧊Nice Pick

Build It And They Will Come

Developers should consider this methodology when working on innovative, niche, or highly technical products where user needs are not yet fully defined or when rapid prototyping and iteration are prioritized over validation

Build It And They Will Come

Nice Pick

Developers should consider this methodology when working on innovative, niche, or highly technical products where user needs are not yet fully defined or when rapid prototyping and iteration are prioritized over validation

Pros

  • +It's often used in early-stage startups, open-source projects, or when building tools for emerging technologies, as it allows for quick deployment and feedback loops
  • +Related to: lean-startup, agile-development

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Customer Development

Developers should learn Customer Development when working on new products, startups, or innovative features to ensure they build solutions that solve real problems for users

Pros

  • +It is particularly valuable in agile and lean startup environments to avoid wasted effort on unvalidated ideas, helping teams pivot or persevere based on evidence from customer interactions
  • +Related to: lean-startup, product-management

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Build It And They Will Come if: You want it's often used in early-stage startups, open-source projects, or when building tools for emerging technologies, as it allows for quick deployment and feedback loops and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Customer Development if: You prioritize it is particularly valuable in agile and lean startup environments to avoid wasted effort on unvalidated ideas, helping teams pivot or persevere based on evidence from customer interactions over what Build It And They Will Come offers.

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The Bottom Line
Build It And They Will Come wins

Developers should consider this methodology when working on innovative, niche, or highly technical products where user needs are not yet fully defined or when rapid prototyping and iteration are prioritized over validation

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