---
sourceType: article
title: Why the Product-Centric Approach Is Needed
authors:
  - Bodman, Mark
publishedAt: 2025-05-04
url: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-product-centric-approach-need-mark-bodman-bkc8c
license: Apache-2.0
abstract: |
  Long-form LinkedIn article making the definitive case against project-based IT.
  Replaces it with persistent product teams and rolling investment in digital
  products. Includes Mark's simplified definition: "Anything that runs code that
  one party is responsible for that delivers outcomes for a consumer party."
  States the position that projects are time-bound, often optimizing for delivery
  deadlines rather than long-term sustainability.
---

## Why it's cited

Foundational source for the **Digital Product as the unit of organization** stance and the **persistent product teams over projects** stance. The simplified definition of Digital Product comes from this piece. Bundled under Apache-2.0 as Mark's original LinkedIn article.

## Key claims

- Digital Product = "anything that runs code that one party is responsible for that delivers outcomes for a consumer party."
- Project-based IT optimises for delivery deadlines, not business outcomes or long-term sustainability.
- The fix is persistent product teams, rolling investment, outcome-based measurement.

## See also

- Stance: `[[stances/digital-product-is-the-unit-of-organization]]`
- Stance: `[[stances/persistent-product-teams-over-projects]]`
- Earlier framing: `[[raw-sources/articles/why-product-centricity-critical]]`
