Introduction: What You’ll Learn
In this simulation, you'll practice sharing early technical feasibility feedback with a Product Manager (PM). You'll learn how to effectively communicate potential challenges and realistic timelines, ensuring everyone is on the same page before development kicks off.
You’ll practice:
- Clearly communicating technical constraints and considerations
- Aligning on realistic timelines and scope adjustments
- Suggesting practical alternatives or phased approaches
- Maintaining a positive and collaborative tone
Step-by-Step Simulation
Scene 1: Setting the Context
Facilitator: "Hey everyone, today we're focusing on aligning technical feasibility with our product goals. Picture this: you’ve been reviewing the initial concept for a new feature with your PM. Let’s dive into the conversation."
Facilitator (as Developer): "Hi Jamie, I wanted to chat about some early thoughts on the new feature concept we're exploring. I’ve done a quick feasibility check, and there are a few things we should discuss."
Scene 2: Sharing Technical Insights
Jamie (PM): "Great, I’m interested to hear what you’ve found. What’s on your mind?"
Facilitator (as Developer): "Well, the core functionality looks doable, but there are some technical hurdles. Integrating with our legacy system will need significant work due to some outdated APIs. This might push our timeline out a bit."
Jamie (PM): "Thanks for bringing that up. How much extra time do you think we’re looking at?"
Facilitator (as Developer): "Right now, I’d estimate it could add about 2-3 weeks. We could look at rolling out in phases, focusing on the most critical parts first to keep things moving."
Scene 3: Aligning on Scope and Alternatives
Jamie (PM): "A phased rollout could work. Anything else we should keep an eye on?"
Facilitator (as Developer): "Definitely. There’s some risk with third-party integrations. I suggest we set aside time for early testing to catch any issues early. Could we prioritize a proof-of-concept for these integrations?"
Jamie (PM): "That makes sense. Should we tweak the roadmap based on this?"
Facilitator (as Developer): "I think it’s a good idea. Let’s get the team on the same page and adjust our plans."
Scene 4: Wrapping Up and Next Steps
Facilitator: "Thanks for the chat, Jamie. I’ll jot down these points and draft a revised timeline. Let’s aim to meet next week to go over progress and any new updates."
Jamie (PM): "Sounds good, thanks for staying on top of this. I’ll update the stakeholders so they’re aware of the changes."
Facilitator: "Perfect. I’ll send out a calendar invite for our follow-up. Thanks for the teamwork, Jamie."
Mini Roleplay Challenges
Challenge 1: Jamie insists on keeping the original timeline despite risks.
- Best Response: “I get the pressure to move fast, but rushing might lead to issues. A phased approach helps us deliver quality without cutting corners.”
Challenge 2: Jamie questions the need for additional testing time.
- Best Response: “Catching issues early can save us trouble later. Let’s invest a little time now to prevent bigger headaches down the road.”
Challenge 3: Jamie asks for a quick summary to share with stakeholders.
- Best Response: “Absolutely, I’ll put together a brief summary with the key points and our proposed changes.”
Optional Curveball Mode
- Jamie introduces a new feature request mid-discussion.
- Stakeholders demand a demo earlier than planned.
- A technical constraint turns out more severe than initially thought.
Practice handling each without derailing the alignment process.
Reflection Checklist
Communication Clarity
- Did I explain technical constraints clearly?
- Did I outline realistic timelines and suggest practical alternatives?
Collaboration
- Did I maintain a positive and collaborative tone?
- Did I make sure we’re all on the same page with the next steps?
Proactivity
- Did I spot potential risks early and propose solutions?
- Did I suggest actionable changes to our plan?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-promising on timelines or scope
- Not explaining technical constraints clearly
- Ignoring phased or alternative approaches
- Skipping early testing and validation