7 Dysfunctions of Product Teams
As a longtime product leader and advisor, I’ve worked closely with many product management teams. I’ve seen their successes, but I’ve also seen the challenges that can derail even the most talented teams.
Here are the 7 dysfunctions I see most often. Calling them out is the first step to fixing them.
Lack of Trust
Trust is the foundation of a high-performing product team. Without it, teams become guarded, protect their silos, and fail to collaborate effectively. If team members don’t trust each other or leadership, everything becomes a struggle.
Fear of Conflict
Healthy debate is essential for great product outcomes. Yet, too often, teams avoid tough conversations to “keep the peace.” This results in half-baked ideas and unresolved issues, leading to resentment and frustration beneath the surface.
Lack of Commitment
When teams can’t align on a decision or agree on priorities, there’s no clear path forward. Team members pursue their agendas, causing wasted effort and sending mixed messages across the organization.
Avoidance of Accountability
In high-performing teams, accountability isn’t optional—it’s a must. Unfortunately, I frequently see team members dodging responsibility, making excuses, or pointing fingers. This lack of accountability creates a culture of low standards, where expectations are unmet and excuses abound.
Inattention to Results
The goal of product management is to deliver real value to customers and the business. But dysfunction shifts the focus from outcomes to internal politics, vanity metrics, or simply avoiding failure, which stifles meaningful progress.
Lack of Customer Focus
The best product teams keep the customer at the heart of everything. Yet I’ve seen teams get so wrapped up in internal agendas that they lose sight of what customers truly need, resulting in products that miss the mark.
Poor Communication
Clear and consistent communication is the glue that holds product teams together. When communication falters within the team, with other departments, or with stakeholders, the result is lost alignment, missed deadlines, and misunderstandings.
These dysfunctions impact more than just the product team—they ripple out, affecting the entire organization. Product leaders must tackle these issues head-on with courage and transparency.
Take a close look at your product organization. Do you see any of these dysfunctions? If so, don’t let them fester. Address them by building a team that collaborates, holds each other accountable, and puts the customer first. Your customers, your business, and your team will thank you for it.