Stop Treating Projects Like Products to Unlock Lasting Value

At Lincoln High’s robotics club, each year they launched a new robot for competition—building one, competing, then shelving that code forever. Sensors clattered during late-night sessions, and soldering irons glowed into the early morning, but progress stalled because every year was a fresh start.

Once, a veteran advisor suggested they shift from “one-and-done” projects to a continuous product mindset: maintain and improve the same robot over multiple seasons. The idea felt odd—no shiny new chassis to show off—but they tried it. They logged issues in a shared spreadsheet, assigned small teams to upgrades, and tracked performance metrics instead of project checkboxes.

Over two years, they doubled match win rates, fixed bugs faster, and built specialized attachments rather than rebuilding the base. Team morale soared as students saw their improvements accumulate.

Thinking in terms of evolving products—rather than isolated projects—fosters long-term value. You’ll invest in the most impactful features, reduce repetitive efforts, and build a reputation for continuous innovation.

Begin by writing a clear, one-sentence statement of your product’s purpose, then list your current projects and map how each advances that vision. Group related tasks under broader product initiatives, and schedule a monthly review to prune tasks that no longer align. Watch your focus sharpen and your team’s efforts compound over time.