A prosperous kingdom had one great gate.
It welcomed merchants.
Protected the people.
Controlled who entered and who left.
As the kingdom grew, requests began to arrive.
The merchants wanted another gate on the east side.
"It will reduce travel."
The farmers asked for one near the fields.
"It will save us hours every day."
The soldiers wanted a military entrance.
"For emergencies."
The nobles requested a private gate.
"For security."
The temple wanted pilgrims to enter separately.
"It preserves sanctity."
Every request was reasonable.
The king approved them all.
Years later, the kingdom had twelve gates.
Trade improved.
Travel became easier.
Everyone praised the king's wisdom.
Until one winter night.
The guards couldn't protect every entrance.
Supplies had to be divided.
Messengers took longer to coordinate.
No one knew who had entered through which gate.
One rainy evening, thieves walked in through a forgotten door.
Not because the palace lacked security.
But because it had too many ways in.
The kingdom wasn't defeated because it lacked walls.
It became impossible to protect because every new gate demanded attention forever.
The old architect quietly said,
"Majesty, gates are never built for today. They are guarded for generations."
Inside the Product Room
Every feature begins as a solution.
Very few people think about the permanent responsibility it creates.
Building is temporary.
Owning is permanent.
Great Product Managers don't ask,
"Can we build it?"
They ask,
"Can we afford to carry it for the next five years?"
The greatest products are not remembered for everything they added, but for everything they had the courage not to.
0 Comments