Let’s define a project as something with a specific deliverable, like a report or a website for a specific event. When it’s done it’s done there’s no expectation that the output will be re-used. Everyone involved is free to work on whatever the next thing is without having to think about the deliverable again.

A product is something that is never really done. New features get added, older features get improved. Everything needs to work together and adding something in one part of the system may have implications elsewhere that aren’t directly related. People may get asked to explain or fix something they worked on a long time ago.

Having a project mindset when working on a product leads to an incoherent product as not enough attention is paid to how the project fits into the product overall. Having a product mindset when working on a project leads to overcomplicated systems designed for repeatability when it’s not needed.

Are you working on a project or a product? Does everyone involved have the right mindset?