Journal

Notes on product, design, AI, and building companies.

Upstream product clarity before the build

IdeasAug 17, 20264 min read

The questions I ask before building a product

A product can work as designed and still struggle when the problem, audience, or distribution is unclear.

An open notebook mapping the bet, build, measure, learn, next bet loop beside a tilted balance of blocks

IdeasJun 30, 20265 min read

I taught founders to build roadmaps at McGill. The framework still works.

I taught a product roadmap workshop at McGill in 2017. Building with AI has changed the pace, but I still use the same questions to decide what to build next.

Founder comparing acquisition versus starting a business from scratch

IdeasFeb 6, 20253 min read

Buying a business starts with an operating plan

Building and buying ask different things of an operator. My work at Openfair made me pay closer attention to what happens after a buyer takes over.

About This Journal

Short essays on product, design, AI, and building companies. Most begin as working notes and stay here when the idea deserves a longer life.

For case studies and brand work, see Work.