The execution trap
Many designers remain positioned as solution providers rather than problem framers.
This limits influence.
Product thinking shift
Marty Cagan’s Inspired emphasizes understanding users, business goals, and technology constraints simultaneously.
This triad defines product thinking.
Influence expansion
Designers applying product thinking contribute to:
opportunity discovery
prioritization discussions
success metric definition
Community discourse
Voices like Julie Zhuo and Teresa Torres consistently highlight discovery-driven product development.
Takeaway
Product thinking is not an additional skill. It is a perspective shift redefining the designer’s role in product creation.
