What Went Wrong...
Examining the missteps of various software products across industries reveals common pitfalls that can derail even the most promising innovations. From inadequate market research and poor user experience design to insufficient testing and failure to adapt to technological advancements, these challenges underscore the importance of thorough planning and execution. The following section outlines specific cases, offering insights into how these factors contributed to their downfall and the lessons that can be gleaned to inform future endeavors.
Available Lessons:
200
Google Health (2008)
HealthTech
A centralized platform for storing personal health records failed to gain traction due to lack of user adoption and unclear value.
WHAT WENT WRONG
Misalignment with user needs
Insufficient partnerships with healthcare providers
Privacy concerns not properly addressed
SIGNALS MISSED
Low user engagement during pilot phases
Lack of integration with existing healthcare systems
User skepticism over data security
HOW COULD THEY HAVE AVOIDED THIS
Deep research into user trust and privacy needs
Partnerships with healthcare providers for adoption
Gradual rollout with proven use cases
TEAMS INVOLVED
Product, Design, Marketing, Operations
Edison Blood Testing Device
HealthTech
Theranos
Claimed to revolutionize blood testing with small blood samples, but the technology did not work as promised. False claims led to regulatory investigations and collapse.
WHAT WENT WRONG
Lack of scientific validation
Failure to communicate technological limitations internally
Overpromised and underdelivered on product functionality
SIGNALS MISSED
Internal feedback from scientists raising doubts
Inconsistent test results during internal trials
Overreliance on PR without functional validation
HOW COULD THEY HAVE AVOIDED THIS
Rigorous peer-reviewed testing and validation
Transparent communication to investors and customers
Focus on incremental progress before hyping an unproven product
TEAMS INVOLVED
CEO, Product, Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Operations