I am a self-admitted product nerd. I love to build - it is one of the most satisfying aspects of being a product manager. But building without context or check-ins can be dangerous and throw a team off track, and even risk its demise.

However, building is not enough. A good product is measured by the impact the product has for the business and its users. Establishing metrics, including key performance indicators (KPIs), is crucial for tracking progress and ensuring that the product is meeting its goals. Otherwise, product leaders risk wasting resources (money, time, personnel) in pursuing an idea that is ultimately unviable.