AI isn’t plug-and-play. It’s a strategic investment that demands clear intent, strong foundations, and long-term ownership. Before jumping into implementation, product teams need to pressure-test the “why,” “how,” and “what next” of their AI initiatives. These five questions help ensure AI delivers meaningful business value—not just technical output.
- What’s the real business goal?
AI isn’t the entire strategy, it’s a tool. Start by clearly defining the problem you’re solving or the opportunity you’re chasing. Set success metrics: efficiency gains, cost savings, revenue lift, or better user experience. If a simpler solution like process automation would get you there faster, explore that first. - Is our data actually AI-ready?
AI success depends on data that’s good enough—clean, complete, structured, and regularly updated. Product and data teams must align early on quality, access, and governance, because if the foundation isn’t solid, the model won’t be either. - Will this work in the real world?
AI should enhance, not complicate. Consider how your proposed solution will fit into existing workflows. Will users understand and trust its outputs? Is the experience seamless and actionable? Adoption hinges on usability and clarity, not just technical accuracy. - Are we set up to manage risk and build trust?
AI introduces risk: bias, compliance, security, and transparency. Teams need to bake in safeguards from the start. Governance, human oversight, and accountability aren’t optional; they’re what make AI responsible and sustainable. - What happens after launch?
AI isn’t one-and-done. Models need ongoing monitoring, tuning, and iteration. Clear ownership is critical: who’s responsible for retraining, evaluating performance, and adapting to changing conditions?
Bottom line: Strong product thinking is the difference between AI that performs in a demo and AI that drives long-term impact. These questions help teams build with purpose, not just ambition.
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About the Author
Heather Harris is a Principal Product Strategist at Sparq. She has over a decade of experience in product management and brings a wealth of expertise to drive innovative solutions. Outside of work, Heather resides in Wisconsin with her husband and two children, actively volunteering with Lasagna Love to nourish families in her community while indulging in her passion for cooking and reading in her spare moments.
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