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SaaS Product Lifecycle

#core-concept#lifecycle#product-strategy#growth

What is a Product Lifecycle?

Everyone who builds SaaS finds themselves at some stage of their product. You need to identify these stages and name this the Product Lifecycle. Understanding which stage your product is currently at helps you make the right decisions and focus your efforts effectively.

Product Lifecycle Stages

💡 No Project

You don't have a project yet. Focus on finding ideas and understanding what problems exist in the market.

  • • Focus on idea discovery
  • • Emphasize simplicity and speed
  • • Additional resources for beginners

🎯 Has Idea

You have an idea but haven't started building yet. Focus on validating your existing idea before development.

  • • Focus on validating existing idea
  • • Tips on adapting methods to your specific idea
  • • Additional steps for deeper analysis

🛠️ In Development

Your product is currently being built. Focus on improving the existing product and finding new feature ideas.

  • • Focus on improving existing product
  • • Tips on finding new feature ideas
  • • Integration with current development

🚀 Launched

Your product is live and available to customers. Focus on finding new growth opportunities and expanding.

  • • Focus on finding new growth opportunities
  • • Tips on finding new markets
  • • Product expansion strategies

📈 Scaling

Your product is growing and you're scaling operations. Focus on finding new products and diversification.

  • • Focus on finding new products
  • • Diversification strategies
  • • Searching for acquisition targets

❌ Failed

Your product didn't work out as expected. Focus on a new approach to validation and quick restart strategies.

  • • Focus on new validation approach
  • • Psychological support
  • • Quick restart strategies

How to Apply

Key Insight: Each stage requires different strategies and approaches. Understanding your current stage helps you personalize your content, messaging, and tactics.

  • Identify which stage your product is currently at
  • Tailor your approach based on your stage (e.g., idea discovery vs. scaling strategies)
  • Use stage-appropriate resources and methods
  • Recognize that stages can be non-linear (e.g., you might go from launched back to in_development)

Why It Matters

Understanding which stage your product is at helps you:

  • Focus your efforts on what matters most for your current stage
  • Personalize your approach and messaging to your stage
  • Avoid common mistakes by understanding where you are in the journey
  • Make better decisions about what to do next
SaaS Product Lifecycle | Core Concepts - Hack Your SaaS