Building What Customers Need, Not Just What They Ask For
The most innovative products emerged without explicit customer requests. Nobody asked for the first iPhone, Airbnb, or Figma. These products came from vision and intuition.
linear.app • Building What Customers Need, Not Just What They Ask For
Users rarely articulate their core problems directly. They describe symptoms, request features they’ve seen elsewhere, or suggest solutions that address their specific need but wouldn't serve the broader user base effectively.
When a user asks for "custom fields," they're expressing a deeper need that requires interpretation.
When a user asks for "custom fields," they're expressing a deeper need that requires interpretation.
Sagan Schultz • Building What Customers Need, Not Just What They Ask For
The feedback paradox
Product teams face a fundamental tension. Build only what customers ask for and risk mediocrity. Ignore feedback entirely and risk irrelevance. Every product decision exists within this practical challenge.
Product teams face a fundamental tension. Build only what customers ask for and risk mediocrity. Ignore feedback entirely and risk irrelevance. Every product decision exists within this practical challenge.