The importance of internal product demos
In product development, an internal demo isn’t just a presentation, but it is an essential and strategic tool for product managers, designers and all teams involved. It plays a crucial role in the early and scale stages of a product, helping to align teams, prioritise developments and clarify the roadmap. This article explores why and how to run effective internal demos, ideally every 2 to 3 weeks to engage without disrupting.
1. Data chart: current status and evolution of the product
Start by presenting a detailed chart showing the evolution of the product since its inception. For example, this chart could illustrate performance improvements, increase in user adoption or changes in client satisfaction following different iterations.
A few tips:
- Use tools such as Tableau or Google Charts to create interactive charts.
- Make sure that your data is up to date and clearly reflects the trends you want to draw attention to.
2. What, Why, How
Detail the latest features by answering:
- What: Describe what the feature actually does.
- Why: Explain why this feature is necessary. How does it tie into user needs and business goals.
- How: Show how it was developed and what is its expected impact.
Example:
- What: Integrating a chatbot for customer support.
- Why: Reduce response time and increase customer satisfaction.
- How: By using AI to answer common questions, allowing support staff to focus on more complex cases.
3. Deep Card: focus on a key feature
Choose an important feature and present it with the help of a video or a GIF, along with a usage scenario and technical details.
A few tips:
- Prepare a clear script for the video to avoid having to improvise.
- Use tools such as Loom or Screencast to record the demo.
- Include concrete examples of how the feature can be used to showcase its added value.
4. Next Challenge
Make a list of upcoming features, identify the teams involved, write down the expected timeframe and goals to be achieved.
Example:
- Feature: Improve the product recommendation algorithm.
- Teams: Data Science, Backend, UI/UX.
- Timeframe: Q4 2024.
- Goal: Increase conversations by 20%.
5. Communication
Explain how to stay informed after the demo. Plan Q&A sessions, regular internal newsletters or a dedicated Slack channel.
A few tips:
- Organise periodic Q&A sessions after the demo to clarify any doubts and gather feedback.
- Decide on a simple way for teams to give their feedback and ask questions at any time.
Conclusion
Regular demos are not only presentations; they are an essential part of a company’s product development culture. They allow all departments to understand the product as well as contribute to better alignment and collaboration between teams. By following the advice in this article, you can maximise the effectiveness of your demos and ensure that every feature is well received and understood by all.
