In the technology industry, there’s a quirky term that gained traction a few decades ago: “dogfooding.” Don’t worry, this post is (mostly) not going to be about puppy food; the term refers to the practice of companies using their own products extensively before releasing them to the public. The term has its roots in a 1970s TV commercial for Alpo dog food in which the actor fed the product that was being advertised to their own dog. Then, in the 80s, the term began to be used by Microsoft internally. A little later, HP and Mozilla created a project that incentivized employees to use their products - and they called Alpo in recognition of this phenomenon.

Why is this important?

Dogfooding isn’t just about catching bugs – it’s about fostering a deep understanding of your product, ensuring it truly meets the needs of your users. This practice can be a game-changer, particularly as technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace.

The Benefits of Dogfooding

Enhanced Product Quality: When your team is also the primary user, you’ll quickly uncover issues and opportunities for improvement that might otherwise go unnoticed. This leads to a more refined, user-friendly product.

Increased Team Investment: Dogfooding builds a sense of ownership and pride within your team. They’re not just building a product; they’re using it, experiencing its value firsthand, and becoming its biggest advocates.

Faster Iteration Cycles: By identifying and addressing issues early on, you can iterate more quickly and efficiently, getting your product to market faster and with fewer hiccups.

Stronger Customer Relationships: When your team deeply understands your product, they can provide better support and build stronger relationships with your customers.

Implementing Dogfooding: A Strategic Approach

Dogfooding isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy. The optimal approach will vary depending on your product, team size, and goals. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Start Early and Incorporate Often: Integrate dogfooding into your development process from the very beginning. The earlier you start, the more opportunities you’ll have to refine your product before it reaches the public.
• Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve through dogfooding. Are you looking to identify bugs, gather feedback on specific features, or simply build team morale?
• Create a Feedback Loop: Encourage your team to share their experiences, both positive and negative. Establish a clear process for collecting and addressing feedback.
• Track and Measure: Monitor how dogfooding is impacting your development process and product quality. Use this data to refine your approach over time.

Beyond Bug Fixing: Dogfooding as a Mindset

Dogfooding is more than just a testing strategy – it’s a mindset. It’s about building a culture of continuous improvement and a deep understanding of your users’ needs. When your team is fully invested in your product, they’ll be more likely to create something truly exceptional.

At MetaSolves, we’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of dogfooding. It’s a cornerstone of our approach to building human-centric technology solutions. We believe that when you use your own products, you gain a unique perspective that allows you to create experiences that truly resonate with your audience.

The Ultimate Dogfood: The Rise of AI

As we move towards a future where AI could become the ultimate product, dogfooding takes on a new dimension. Imagine AI systems so sophisticated that they could be used across virtually all operations within a company. The companies at the forefront of AI development are likely already deeply integrated with their creations, experiencing the benefits and challenges firsthand. This internal “dogfooding” could lead to a deeper understanding of AI’s potential and create abundance from its development in ways we can’t yet imagine.

Ready to take your product to the next level? Let’s chat about how MetaSolves can help you implement this and other advantageous strategies to best prepare for the AI-powered future.