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
Genomic Risk Assessment Tool
BioTech
Genomic Health
The software aimed to assess genetic risk for diseases but faced criticism for oversimplified results and poor physician adoption.
WHAT WENT WRONG
Overly generic algorithms lacking individual context
Limited integration with EHR systems for clinicians
SIGNALS MISSED
Low satisfaction rates from clinicians and patients
High support tickets requesting detailed explanations
HOW COULD THEY HAVE AVOIDED THIS
Enhancing algorithms with personalized context
Testing integration workflows with real-world clinics
TEAMS INVOLVED
Product, AI, Data, Customer Success
Allscripts Sunrise (Early Versions)
BioTech
Allscripts
This electronic health record (EHR) software faced criticism for poor integration with existing systems and frequent crashes.
WHAT WENT WRONG
Technical instability during high usage
Limited compatibility with hospital infrastructure
SIGNALS MISSED
User complaints about data synchronization errors
Frequent support tickets from hospitals reporting outages
HOW COULD THEY HAVE AVOIDED THIS
Conducting stress tests for scalability
Enhancing compatibility through modular system designs
TEAMS INVOLVED
Product, Engineering, QA, Customer Success
Health Risk Reports (Initial Rollout)
BioTech
23andMe
The FDA halted the release of genetic health reports due to insufficient scientific validation and concerns about misleading consumers.
WHAT WENT WRONG
Poor regulatory compliance during product development
Overpromised results without adequate scientific backing
SIGNALS MISSED
Early FDA warnings about insufficient validation
Consumer feedback questioning the accuracy of results
HOW COULD THEY HAVE AVOIDED THIS
Engaging regulatory agencies proactively
Publishing data and methodology in peer-reviewed journals
TEAMS INVOLVED
Product, Engineering, Compliance, Marketing, CEO
Flatiron Clinical Trial Matching
BioTech
Flatiron Health
A software tool meant to match patients to clinical trials struggled with inaccurate matches due to incomplete data integration.
WHAT WENT WRONG
Poor data harmonization across healthcare systems
Weak AI training for nuanced clinical scenarios
SIGNALS MISSED
Reports from clinicians about irrelevant trial matches
Low adoption rates during pilot programs
HOW COULD THEY HAVE AVOIDED THIS
Improving data collection and standardization efforts
Incorporating clinician feedback into AI training
TEAMS INVOLVED
Data, Product, Engineering, Customer Success
Invitae Variant Interpretation Tool
BioTech
Invitae
The tool aimed to assist clinicians with genetic variant interpretation but failed due to poor usability and limited clinical validation.
WHAT WENT WRONG
Weak user interface design for clinicians
Insufficient integration with clinical workflows
SIGNALS MISSED
Low engagement rates among clinicians during trials
Feedback highlighting difficulty navigating the tool
HOW COULD THEY HAVE AVOIDED THIS
Conducting user-centered design sessions with clinicians
Validating workflows through real-world clinical testing
TEAMS INVOLVED
Product, Design, Engineering, QA, Customer Success
Edison Device Software
BioTech
Theranos
The software powering Theranos' blood-testing devices was criticized for producing inaccurate results, undermining the product’s credibility.
WHAT WENT WRONG
Poor algorithmic accuracy for test data processing
Lack of independent validation or peer-reviewed studies
SIGNALS MISSED
Early feedback from labs highlighting inconsistencies
Concerns from internal employees about data accuracy
HOW COULD THEY HAVE AVOIDED THIS
Conducting rigorous, third-party validation of the software
Engaging regulatory bodies earlier in the development process
TEAMS INVOLVED
Product, Engineering, QA, CEO, Compliance