Mindset: think like a product manager
In the era of AI programming, the most important skill is not writing code, but clearly expressing requirements.
MVP thinking: Minimum Viable Product
MVP (Minimum Viable Product) refers to a product version that validates core assumptions with the minimum set of features.
Core principles
- - First make it usable, then make it easy to use
- - As long as the feature works, that's enough; don't pursue perfection
- - Rapid validation, rapid iteration
Common pitfalls
- - Aim for perfection from the start
- - The features keep growing and growing
- - Delayed release to production
The art of not adding features
Feature creep is the number one killer of project failure. Learning to say “no” is more important than learning to say “yes.”
x Bad Example
+ Correct example
Spec-driven development
Spec (Specification) is the requirements specification document. Writing requirements clearly is half the battle.
A good Spec includes:
What problem does this feature need to solve?
What does this feature not do?
What counts as done?
What problems might you encounter?
Hands-on exercise: Write a Spec
# To-do App Spec ## Goal Create a simple to-do app to help users manage daily tasks. ## Non-goals - No multi-user/login system - No cloud sync - No reminder notifications ## Core Features 1. Add to-do items 2. Mark complete/incomplete 3. Delete to-do items 4. Local storage ## Acceptance Criteria - [ ] Can enter text to add a new task - [ ] Clicking a task can toggle its completion state - [ ] Refreshing the page does not lose data ## Tech Stack - Frontend: React + Tailwind CSS - Storage: localStorage
Garbage In, Garbage Out
"Garbage in, garbage out"
The quality of AI-generated code depends entirely on the quality of the requirements you provide. Vague requirements produce vague code, and precise requirements produce precise code.