6 Key Product Artifacts in Product Development
Product artifacts are physical or digital items that represent the output of a project or product development process. These artifacts can take many forms, from prototypes and mockups to final products and documentation. In this blog post, we will explore some common types of product artifacts and provide real-life examples to illustrate their use and importance.
One common type of product artifact is the prototype. A prototype is a preliminary model of a product or system that is used to test and refine the design. Prototypes can be physical or digital, and they can range from rough, hand-drawn sketches to fully functional models.
One example of a prototype is the cardboard mockup that designers and engineers at Google used to test the design of Google Glass. This prototype allowed the team to experiment with different form factors and layouts, and it helped them to identify and address any issues with the design before moving on to a more expensive and time-consuming stage of development.
Another common product artifact is the wireframe. A wireframe is a low-fidelity representation of a user interface, typically used to plan the layout and functionality of a website or application. Wireframes are often created using tools like Balsamiq or InVision, and they can help designers and developers to visualize and test the user experience of a product.
For example, the team behind the popular project management tool Trello used wireframes to plan the layout and functionality of their web application. By creating wireframes and testing them with users, they were able to iterate on their design and create a product that was intuitive and easy to use.
In addition to prototypes and wireframes, other common product artifacts include user personas, user stories, and user journey maps. These artifacts help product teams to understand the needs and motivations of their users, and to plan and design products that meet those needs.
For instance, the team behind the ride-sharing app Lyft used user personas and user stories to understand the needs of their users and to design a product that would meet those needs. By creating detailed profiles of their users and mapping out the different scenarios in which they might use the app, the team was able to create a product that was tailored to the needs of their users.
Product artifacts can also include documentation, such as user manuals, technical specifications, and release notes. This type of artifact is often used to communicate the design and functionality of a product to users, developers, and other stakeholders.
One example of a product documentation artifact is the user manual for a smartphone. This manual provides detailed instructions on how to use the phone, including information on features, settings, and troubleshooting. By providing this type of documentation, smartphone manufacturers are able to help users get the most out of their products.
Another example of a product artifact is the customer journey map. A customer journey map is a visual representation of the steps that a customer goes through when interacting with a product or service. This artifact is often used to identify pain points and opportunities for improvement in the customer experience.
For example, the team behind the online retailer Zappos used customer journey maps to understand the experience of their customers when shopping on their website. By mapping out the different stages of the customer journey, from discovery to purchase to post-purchase, the team was able to identify areas where the customer experience could be improved. Based on this analysis, they made changes to their website, such as adding more detailed product descriptions and making it easier for customers to track their orders.
Another type of product artifact is the MVP, or minimum viable product. An MVP is a stripped-down version of a product that includes only the most essential features. The goal of an MVP is to test the core value proposition of a product and gather feedback from users, without incurring the cost and risk of building a full-fledged product.
One example of an MVP is the social media platform Twitter. When it was first launched, Twitter was a very simple product that allowed users to send short messages to each other. Based on the feedback they received from users, the team behind Twitter was able to iterate on the product and add new features, such as the ability to include images and videos in tweets, and the ability to follow other users. By starting with an MVP and gradually adding features based on user feedback, the team was able to create a product that was tailored to the needs of their users.
In addition to these examples, there are many other types of product artifacts that can be used in the product development process. Some examples include user flow diagrams, which show the steps that a user goes through when interacting with a product; user research reports, which summarize the findings of user research studies; and style guides, which outline the visual and branding elements of a product.
Overall, product artifacts are a critical tool for product teams, as they help to communicate the vision and functionality of a product, and to gather feedback and insights from users. Whether you are working on a new website, app, or physical product, using product artifacts can help you to create a product that meets the needs of your users and delivers value to your business.
