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- The Product Model #270 - Communication between Teams is a Bug, Not a Feature
The Product Model #270 - Communication between Teams is a Bug, Not a Feature
This Week’s Updates: Alignment Illusion, AI In Product Management, Critical Thinking In User Research, Classical UX Skills, The AI Coding Trap and more...
Rory Madden
December 02, 2025
Communication between Teams is a Bug, Not a Feature
Things can fall through the gaps between teams. And when that happens, the proposed solution is always more meetings. Daily cross-team syncs, weekly alignment sessions, and a new Slack channel for real-time coordination.
But the problem isn’t a lack of communication; it’s team structure. Fix the structure by designing and creating autonomous teams that can deliver a feature from start to finish, and communication needs will shrink naturally.
As Jeff Bezos said: “Communication is a sign of dysfunction. It means people aren't working together in a close, organic way. We should be trying to figure out ways for teams to communicate less with each other, not more.”
Check out my article below, where I address challenges like product coherence in a product with autonomous teams who aren't regularly communicating.
What percentage of your week is spent in cross-team communication?Don't forget distractions like Slack channels and emails. |
This Week’s Updates
Enabling the Team
Communication Between Teams Is A Bug, Not A Feature by Rory Madden
Communication isn’t a feature - it’s a symptom of a broken system. The best organizations minimize the need for inter-team coordination by designing teams that can operate autonomously.
The Illusion Of Alignment by Ash Mann
Teams often appear aligned on goals while quietly diverging on priorities, intent, or interpretation. True alignment requires continuous clarification, shared language, and the courage to surface uncomfortable differences early.