Don't Chase "Best Practices" Blindly

While passing through the jungle of isles at Carrefour, my eye caught sight of a familiar blue bottle.

No, not Pepsi.

WD-40. An all-purpose lubricant spray.

I had heard several friends rave about how it helped them in a variety of sticky situations - from busting rust to unclogging sinks.

With that reputation preceding it, I picked it up thinking it's best to have one just in case.

Fast forward 5 years?

I barely ever used it.

Probably because I wasn't sure it would change how I typically did things.

Now, in product management, we talk about "best practice" exercises: UX surveys, card sorting, persona building etc.

However, if we don't have some clarity on how the results of those endeavors will impact anything we do today, then the effort might go to waste.

Firstly, don't just pick a tool in hope to find a problem it solves.

Secondly, work backwards.

Imagine a hypothetical result (e.g. a sample survey) & discuss with your team how their processes/decisions would change if they were armed with that information.

If they don't anticipate the results to alter anything they're currently doing, then reconsider.

Don't chase "best practices" blindly.

Remember - it's only "best" for you if you can put it into "practice".