Product development is the process of Identifying user needs/desires Translating those needs/desires into specifications Designing a product/system/experience that you think will meet those specifications Verifying your design does indeed meet the specifications described in step 2. Validating that meeting the specifications in step 2 means you address the needs/desires in step 1. Repeat until you think your product is good enough to launch. Launch. Pro tip: It sucks hard finding out late in the game that your "Step 2 Specifications" don't map well to the "Step 1 needs/desires". Build a lot of prototypes early and get them out in front of users so you have confidence in the Step 1.