Product Lead
Your build is in motion but something's off. I come in as the technical lead between you and your developers and get the thing back on track.
Why agencies choose my Product Lead services.
Stop the communication breakdown
You speak founder. They speak developer. I speak both. That missing translation layer is usually why your project is going sideways.
Someone actually on your side
Your dev team is trying to protect their time and budget. You need someone in your corner whose only job is making sure your vision gets built correctly.
Structure where there isn't any
No scope document. No project management. No finish line. I come in and build all of that from whatever state the project is currently in.
A defined finish line
One of the first things I do is work with you and the dev team to agree on what done actually means. Then I drive the project to that definition.
I don't pretend the project is starting fresh. I work with what exists.
Most Product Lead engagements start mid-disaster. Months of work already done, a frustrated founder, and a dev team that's lost confidence in the relationship. I've walked into this situation more times than I can count.
The first thing I do is get honest about the current state. What's been built, what works, what doesn't, and what the gap is between where the project is and where it needs to be. Then I build a plan to close it.
I work inside the project. Not above it.
I plug directly into your development workflow. Your project management, your communication channels, your team's daily rhythm. I'm reviewing what gets built, communicating clearly what needs to change, and making sure your vision survives the handoff.
This isn't a consulting retainer where I show up once a week and tell you things you already know. I'm actually in it with you.
Every engagement has a finish line. Defined upfront.
One of the first things I do is work with you and the dev team to write down what done looks like. What features need to work. What quality bar needs to be met. What date we're aiming for.
Without that definition the project never ends. With it everyone knows exactly what they're building toward. That single document changes everything.
“Dave is amazing! Super easy to work with and an effective collaborator, taking complex problems and developing successful tech solutions.”
How a Product Lead engagement runs.
- 01
Discovery call
30 minutes to understand what's happening with your project and what's going wrong.
- 02
Project audit
I review everything. Code, documentation, project management, communication history. You get a written assessment of where things stand and what needs to happen.
- 03
Scope and structure
I work with you and the dev team to define what done looks like, establish proper communication rhythms, and build the project management structure that should've existed from day one.
- 04
Active product leadership
I lead the project from inside. Daily communication with the dev team. Weekly updates to you. Scope discipline enforced throughout. Blockers resolved before they become disasters.
- 05
Delivery and handoff
When the product hits the agreed definition of done I confirm it's ready and hand you a document covering what was built, what remains, and what to do next.
Is a Product Lead right for you?
This is for you
- You've got an active build that's going sideways
- Your dev team isn't delivering what you envisioned and you don't know how to fix it
- You don't have time to manage the project yourself while also running your business
- The project has budget remaining and you want to make sure it gets spent correctly
- You need someone who'll actually get in the work, not just advise from the outside
This is not for you
- Your project hasn't started yet (start with Product Consultant)
- You want to micromanage every technical decision
- You're not willing to give a product lead real authority to communicate with your dev team
- Your budget is already exhausted
- You're looking for someone to blame rather than someone to lead
Questions about this engagement.
How is this different from hiring a project manager?
A project manager tracks tasks and timelines. I lead the product. That means translating your vision into specs the dev team can actually execute, making judgment calls on scope and quality, and being the technical voice in the room you don't have. Different role entirely.
Do you write code?
Nope. My job is to make sure the right code gets written by the right people. I manage the development relationship, not the codebase.
What if my dev team genuinely isn't good enough?
I'll tell you honestly after the project audit. Sometimes the team is fine but the communication is broken. Sometimes the team is the problem. Either way you deserve a real answer before you spend more money.
How long does this engagement last?
Depends on the project. Most run one to three months. Some rescue situations wrap faster. Some transition into longer ongoing arrangements after that.
Can you work with my existing dev team or do I need new people?
I work with whoever's building the product. My job is to make that team more effective, not replace them. If replacement is needed that's a separate conversation we'll have honestly.
Explore the rest
Not sure this is the right fit? Here's what else I do.
Product Consultant
You've got an idea but no real plan. I figure out exactly what needs to be built, what it'll cost, and how long it'll take. You walk away with a scope document your dev team can actually execute.
Product Builder
You know what you want built and you just need someone to build it. I use AI-assisted development to ship faster and cheaper than any agency you'd hire, without you managing a single person.
Let's see if we're a fit.
a free 30 minute call. Tell me what's going on with your build and I'll tell you honestly whether I can help.