Why Product Managers and Engineers Should Write Business Narratives
It's a common frustration among engineers and product managers: You have a great idea, a vision for a better product or feature, but getting buy-in from your team and executives can feel like an uphill battle. Managers and marketers seem to have more say in the software you create, and often, the bigger, bolder ideas get shelved in favor of incremental improvements.
Why is this? It's because it's tough to prove or even explain your ideas, even to yourself. You need a powerful tool to translate those thoughts into a compelling narrative that resonates with others. That tool? Writing.
The Power of the Written Word
Writing is a powerful force in the tech industry. It's not just for managers and marketers; it's a tool that can empower engineers and product managers to innovate, influence, and lead.
Here's why writing matters:
- Clarifies Your Thinking: The act of writing itself can help you clarify your thoughts, refine your ideas, and uncover hidden assumptions or flaws in your thinking. Often, as you put your ideas into words, you realize they need adjustments or improvements, making your ideas stronger.
- Empowers Your Audience: A well-written business narrative empowers your audience to engage with your ideas, explore nuances, and add their own insights. It's more engaging than a presentation or a meeting, where you are in control of the flow of information.
- Builds Consensus: A compelling narrative can help build consensus around your ideas, making it easier to gain buy-in from team members and stakeholders.
- Lives On: A written narrative can live on in the company's knowledge base, accessible to future teams. It helps capture past decisions, insights, and lessons learned, facilitating knowledge sharing, onboarding, and continuous learning.
Writing a Business Narrative
Here are some key steps for creating a compelling business narrative:
- Define Your Audience: Know who you're writing for. What are their priorities, needs, and perspectives?
- Focus on the Big Picture: Don't get bogged down in technical details. Start with the big picture: What problem are you solving? What is the vision for the product or feature?
- Support Your Arguments: Use data, research, and logical reasoning to support your claims.
- Tell a Story: Use storytelling to engage your audience and make your ideas more memorable.
- Keep it Concise: Get to the point quickly and avoid unnecessary jargon or technical language.
- Invite Feedback: Seek feedback from your colleagues and stakeholders to get their input and improve your narrative.
The Benefits of Writing
Beyond convincing others, writing helps you:
- Become a Better Communicator: Writing skills are essential for any tech professional.
- Gain Influence: By clearly communicating your ideas, you can build influence and become a stronger voice within your organization.
- Become a Leader: Strong writing skills are a hallmark of effective leadership.
So, the next time you have a great idea, don't just share it in a meeting or a presentation. Take the time to write a compelling business narrative. It might just be the key to unlocking your ideas and making a real impact on your team and your organization.