01 · Systems Thinking
Start with the system, not the feature.
A product decision changes more than the feature in front of you. I look at dependencies, interfaces, incentives, operational load, and the decisions the system will force later.
Systems before features
Understand the surrounding workflow before optimizing one component.
Dependencies before commitments
Make upstream and downstream constraints visible before setting a roadmap.
Architecture is a product decision
Architecture affects speed, cost, reliability, reuse, and future product choices.
Design for what happens next
Ask what a decision makes easier or harder six months from now.