Effective Dogfooding Vs. Playing Around

Most product managers don't get dogfooding right.

Let me explain.

There are 2 types of people who wear glasses. Those who:

1- Wear prescription glasses (like me).
2- Wear them as a fashion statement.

A few years ago, I was at the mosque with a friend. We both were type 1 with terrible eyesight.

My friend happened to place his glasses on the floor while praying.

After the prayers ended, a chap who seemed to be in a hurry, rushed in front us &...

CRUNCH.

Bye bye glasses.

Now, being type 1, I felt his pain.

I feel handicapped without my glasses.

The blurred vision, difficulty in finding things, inability to view screens. It's quite limiting.

However, what if I was type 2?

Sure, I'd probably feel sorry but wouldn't be able to relate as deeply.

Why?

Because I would have never experienced my quality of life taking a nosedive without glasses.

I'd be annoyed but it wouldn't prevent me from doing things I care about.

That's the difference between effective dogfooding & playing around.

But wait.

What if I can't test my product that way?

Well, the least the type 2 guy can do to relate is to ask several questions about how it feels like.

Better yet, simulate that life. Use an out-of-focus camera & view the world with those lens.