In this episode of The Product Handbook, we explore the Waterfall methodology — the classic, linear approach to managing projects step by step, phase by phase.

You’ll learn:

• The six key phases of Waterfall: Requirements → Design → Implementation → Testing → Deployment → Maintenance

• How to remember the Waterfall sequence with a simple mental model

• When Waterfall works well — and when it absolutely doesn’t

• The biggest critiques (hello, inflexibility) and how hybrid models combine Waterfall planning with Agile adaptability

• Real-world use cases where Waterfall still dominates — from government to manufacturing to high-stakes infrastructure

Whether you’re prepping for an interview, leading a structured project, or just trying to sound less allergic to Gantt charts, this episode will help you navigate Waterfall’s enduring relevance in a world of sprints and standups.

In this episode of The Product Handbook, we explore Kanban — the lean, flexible method that helps teams visualize their workflow, limit chaos, and continuously improve without the ceremony of traditional Agile frameworks.

You’ll learn:

• The core principles of Kanban: Visualize work, limit WIP, manage flow, make policies explicit, implement feedback loops, and improve collaboratively

• How to use Kanban boards to manage bottlenecks and spot blockers in real time

• Why WIP limits are the secret weapon for reducing context-switching and burnout

• The difference between Kanban and Scrum, and when a hybrid approach might be best

• How Value Stream Management expands Kanban thinking across the entire org — helping you optimize for real value delivery, not just task completion

Whether you’re leading a dev team, wrangling cross-functional work, or trying to make sense of 97 sticky notes on your board, this episode gives you a clear and flexible framework for making work visible — and improving it as you go.

In this episode of The Product Handbook, we explore the Crystal Agile Framework — a lesser-known but powerful alternative to traditional Agile methodologies like Scrum or Kanban.

You’ll learn:

• What makes Crystal different: a context-driven, people-first framework that adapts to team size, project risk, and organizational complexity

• The seven core properties that define Crystal teams: from osmotic communication and reflective improvement to personal safety and frequent delivery

• How Crystal’s color-coded variations scale with project criticality (without scaling bureaucracy)

• The framework’s unique strengths in environments where rigid Agile processes struggle — like regulated industries or highly specialized teams

• Tips and mnemonics to remember Crystal’s guiding principles and apply them in real-world scenarios or interviews

Whether you’re working in a complex org, leading a small dev team, or just looking for a more adaptable way to “be agile,” this episode will help you see Agile through a Crystal-clear lens.

In this episode of The Product Handbook, we explore the Minimum Lovable Product (MLP) — the next evolution beyond MVPs, designed not just to validate functionality, but to spark real user connection.

You’ll learn:

• What separates an MLP from an MVP — and why "just good enough" may not be good enough anymore

• How to infuse delight into early-stage products without over-engineering

• The role of user research, competitive analysis, and behavioral insight in finding the lovable edge

• How to balance speed and emotion — creating an experience that works and wins hearts

• Memorable strategies to define, test, and iterate on what truly makes your product lovable

Whether you're building a new app, entering a crowded market, or just tired of launching things no one remembers — this episode will help you shift from minimal to magnetic.

In this episode of The Product Handbook, we dig into the Proof of Concept (PoC) — the often-overlooked but critical step that answers one essential question: Can this idea work?

You’ll learn:

• What a PoC really is — and how it differs from a prototype or MVP

• When and why to build a PoC — especially when you're exploring technical feasibility or innovation under uncertainty

• How to define success criteria, identify key risks, and communicate results to stakeholders or investors

• Real-world examples of how PoCs have de-risked big bets and saved teams from chasing dead ends

• A simple mental checklist to remember the PoC process: Define, Build, Test, Learn, Decide

Whether you're validating a bold new tech idea, pitching to leadership, or prepping for an interview question like “How would you validate a new product concept?” — this episode helps you speak fluently and strategically about the earliest phase of proving potential.

In this episode of The Product Handbook, we explore how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping MVP development — from coding your prototype to analyzing your user feedback before you even brew your second coffee.

You’ll learn:

• How AI can help generate MVP assets: code, UI, storyboards, and even marketing copy

• How to use predictive analytics to prioritize core features and avoid overbuilding

• Tools for automated user research — from sentiment analysis to instant interview transcripts

• Why product managers are shifting from creators to curators of AI-generated ideas

• The risks: bad data, fuzzy strategy, and the danger of building fast without building right

Whether you're launching your next app or leading an innovation team, this episode shows you how to leverage AI without losing your product sense — and build an MVP that actually matters.

In this episode of The Product Handbook, we take a deep dive into the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) — one of the most powerful tools for testing ideas, minimizing risk, and getting real feedback fast.

You’ll learn:

• What an MVP really is — and what it’s not (hint: it’s not a buggy beta)

• The role of MVPs in the Build-Measure-Learn loop

• Famous MVPs that launched global companies — like Airbnb’s hacked-together website, and Amazon’s “sell one book” test

• Common MVP pitfalls: feature overload, no clear problem, ignoring feedback

• How to define your core assumption, gather feedback, and iterate without wasting time or money

Whether you're starting a side project, launching a new product, or prepping for that interview question (“How would you design an MVP for X?”), this episode will help you build something that actually matters — and prove it, fast.

In this episode of The Product Handbook, we explore the world of prototyping — a critical but often misunderstood phase of product development that helps teams learn fast, fail cheap, and align early.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between low-, medium-, and high-fidelity prototypes — and how to remember when to use which

• Why prototypes are not the same as MVPs (and what each one is really for)

• How tools like paper sketches, clickable wireframes, and even Lego models help surface design flaws early

• How prototyping improves cross-functional communication, reduces rework, and keeps everyone focused on solving the right problem

• Quick tips for choosing the right prototype technique based on stage, goal, and feedback needs

Whether you're prepping for a design sprint, aligning with stakeholders, or answering interview questions like “How do you approach prototyping?”, this episode gives you the structure and language to show up like a pro.

In this episode of The Product Handbook, we break down the Lean Startup methodology — not as a Silicon Valley slogan, but as a practical framework for building smarter, faster, and with way less waste.

You’ll learn:

• How the Build → Measure → Learn loop really works — and how to remember it

• What a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) actually is (hint: it’s not “build less”)

• How companies like Dropbox, Airbnb, and Buffer turned scrappy MVPs into global platforms

• How Lean Startup thinking applies beyond startups — in big companies, legacy products, and even your next internal tool

• Why combining Lean Startup with Design Thinking can supercharge discovery and innovation

Whether you’re launching a new idea, pivoting an old one, or just want to sound like you didn’t learn Lean Startup from a meme, this episode gives you the tools to think, build, and iterate with intention.

In this episode of The Product Handbook, we unpack the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) — one of the most widely adopted (and hotly debated) approaches to scaling Agile across large organizations.

You’ll learn:

• The core components of SAFe, including Program Increment (PI) Planning, alignment rituals, and built-in quality practices

• Key values like transparency, predictability, and alignment across teams — and how they play out in practice

• Common critiques: Is SAFe just “Waterfall with standups”? Why do some call it agile theater?

• How SAFe compares to leaner models like LeSS

• A mental map of roles, events, and decision layers that help you remember SAFe without drowning in acronyms

If you’ve ever sat in a PI planning session wondering “Is this Agile?” — or you’re preparing to explain SAFe in an interview or leadership meeting — this episode gives you the clarity and context to speak fluently (and skeptically) about scaled agility.