Elon Musk's 5-Step Process

As product leaders, we often find ourselves caught in the cycle of endless optimization and feature additions. But what if we're optimizing the wrong things? Elon Musk's approach at Tesla and SpaceX offers a refreshing perspective on product development that challenges conventional wisdom.

1. Question Your Requirements

Most product requirements start with flawed assumptions, especially when they come from experienced stakeholders. Challenge every requirement by asking:

• Who really needs this feature?
• What problem are we actually solving?
• Can we achieve the same outcome differently?

2. Eliminate Before You Iterate

Before optimizing any process or feature, ask if it should exist at all. Many teams fall into the trap of perfecting unnecessary components. To avoid this:

• Assign clear ownership of requirements
• Schedule regular requirement reviews
• Be ruthless about removing non-essential elements

3. Optimize the Core Product

Only after simplifying should you focus on optimization. This means:

• Focusing on the essential features that deliver real value
• Improving core functionalities before adding new ones
• Testing assumptions with real users

4. Refine the Production Process

Don't optimize how you build until you know what you're building is right. When you spot a flawed process:

• Pause and reassess rather than accelerate
• Document learnings from mistakes
• Adjust the process based on product changes

5. Automate Strategically

Automate only what's proven and necessary. Look for:

• Processes with consistent success rates
• Repetitive tasks that don't require human judgment
• Areas where automation can reduce errors

Putting It Into Practice

Start by applying this framework to your next feature release. Begin with a thorough requirement review, and don't be afraid to challenge existing assumptions. Remember, the goal isn't to build more, but to build what matters.