Product Agility Developers Should NEVER Talk to Customers or Users…
In this week’s Product Agility Podcast, host Ben Maynard takes the mic solo to tackle one of the most controversial (and misunderstood) statements in product development: "Developers should NEVER talk to customers or users…"😲
But wait—should they? Or is this just another myth holding product teams back?
Ben dives into the real reasons why some organisations resist letting developers engage with customers, why this mindset stifles innovation, and how shifting towards an outcome-driven approach leads to better products, happier teams, and more business impact.
With years of experience bridging the gap between Agile and Product, Ben shares practical strategies for empowering teams to focus on solving real problems rather than just shipping features.
Key Takeaways:
- Why many teams are stuck in a feature factory—and how to break free.
- The power of direct customer conversations—and why every developer should be involved.
- Outcome vs. Output: How to stop wasting time and money building the wrong things.
- The Lean Product Canvas in action: A real-world example of saving tens of thousands by testing ideas early.
- Leadership mindset shifts: Moving from feature delivery to solving business problems.
Practical Insights:
- How teams can validate their ideas BEFORE writing a single line of code.
- Why traditional backlog management is failing product teams—and what to do instead.
- The simple interviewing techniques that empower teams to make better decisions.
- Scrum Masters & Agile Coaches: How to bring customer learning into sprint reviews.
Links & Resources:
🔗 Learn more about the Lean Product Canvas → Sheev Workshops: https://sheev.co.uk/training/leanux/
📚 Read ‘Who Does What by How Much’ by Jeff Gothelf → https://bit.ly/3EB16ze
🔎 Join the conversation on LinkedIn → Ben Maynard’s Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/
Ready to challenge the status quo? Listen now and let us know: Do developers in your team talk to customers? Why or why not? 👇
Host Bio
Ben is a seasoned expert in product agility coaching, unleashing the potential of people and products. With over a decade of experience, his focus now is product-led growth & agility in organisations of all sizes.
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Ben Maynard
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/
Product Agility Podcast
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/productagilitypod/
💻 https://productagilitypod.co.uk/
🖇️ https://linktr.ee/productagility
Listen & Share On Spotify & iTunes
- Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0lkwAYJzVSuk5zfJ1vIDZq?si=4c691fb12f124a56
- iTunes - https://apple.co/3YvTX8p
Want to come on the podcast?
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