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10 Key Considerations Before a New Product Launch

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If launching a new product was easy, then everyone would be doing it.

Instead, even as we’ve discovered in our planning for the launch of our new “coffee table” book of infographics, it requires an incredible combination of vision, deliberation, teamwork, and project management expertise to accomplish something that’s never been done before.

And even if you are lucky enough to nail many of those things, external factors can be just as deadly.

Getting a Launch Right

Today’s infographic comes from To The New, and it details 10 key points to consider before any new product launch. While it has a slant towards technology and startup products, many of the points are relevant for any new endeavor.

10 Key Considerations Before a New Product Launch

The fact is: launching a product can be ripe with pitfalls. Mckinsey says the chance of success for a new product is 14%.

That’s why preemptively addressing the most common slipups for new products can be an invaluable step for any prospective entrepreneur.

Ten Areas to Focus On

Here are 10 areas that experts say must be addressed to increase the odds of a successful product launch:

1. Market Analysis
According to CB Insights, 19% of startup failures were as a result of ignoring competition. Instead, the market potential must be properly analyzed and assessed to give a realistic perspective on a product launch.

2. Unclear Requirement and Strategy
If expectations for team members are unclear, then it will have a ripple effect. Product development will be delayed, and it could impact timing and profit potential.

3. Product Roadmap
This high-level plan keeps team members on the same page as product development and the launch are executed.

4. Poor Design
An easy thing to overlook – product design should be tested with extensive user research. Otherwise, users may not be aware of key features.

5. Engineering Best Practices
Following best practices for engineering helps to guarantee the product will be ready and glitch-free come launch time.

6. Poor Project Management
Unrealistic timelines, a lack of communication, and inadequate resource allocation can have a big impact on project success.

7. Funding and Capital
Getting the right amount of capital is key. Allocating it wisely to ensure project success is just as important.

8. Launch Timing
Poor timing can also lead to failure. As a result, project scheduling should be carefully planned and thought out, taking into account possible roadblocks or other adverse circumstances that could derail the plan.

9. Performance and Usability
For software or web-based products in particular: no one wants to deal with long loading times, slow responsiveness, or other usability issues. It’s best to clear these up before the product hits market.

10. Availability and Maintenance
If the product is connected to the web, the team needs to ensure that servers and security measures are taken to ensure uptime and availability.

A Final Note

Even the most powerful corporations are aware of the many potential pitfalls when launching a new product.

It’s why every CEO is so adamant that their organization maintains the focus on their core vision, competitive advantage, and current brand value proposition. If any new product does not fit all this criteria, it’s not worth the risk of the company being distracted. This is true for even the most resourceful and innovative corporations.

Luckily, and consequently, this conservatism that permeates big companies is exactly what opens up the tiny window for you to succeed with your next product launch!

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Mapped: Internet Download Speeds by Region

North America and East Asia have the speediest internet.

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Map illustrating median download speeds in each global region.

Mapped: Internet Download Speeds by Region

This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.

In today’s fast-paced world, internet speed isn’t just a convenience—it’s the driving force behind how we work, play, and connect.

In this map, we illustrate median download speeds in each global region, based on data from the World Bank’s Digital Progress and Trends Report 2023.

North America and East Asia Have the Speediest Internet

According to the World Bank, download speeds in high-income countries increased significantly between 2019 and 2023, while speeds in lower-income countries stagnated.

As of 2022, North America and East Asia have the speediest internet.

RegionMedian mobile download speed (Mb/sec)Median fixed broadband download speed (Mb/sec)
East Asia & Pacific90171
Europe & Central Asia4485
Latin America & the Caribbean2674
Middle East & North Africa3636
North America83193
South Asia2743
Sub-Saharan Africa1615

This difference in broadband speeds can mainly be attributed to investment.

In 2020, nearly 90% of global telecommunication investment came from East Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, and North America. These regions not only concentrate the highest-income population but also the top technology hubs.

Meanwhile, low- and middle-income regions such as Latin America and the Caribbean, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for less than 10% of total investment.

Most of the investment is directed towards fiber optic and 5G mobile networks. According to the mobile industry association GSMA, mobile operators alone are projected to invest more than $600 billion between 2022 and 2025, with 85% of the total allocated for 5G.

In 2023, broadband speeds in high-income countries were 10x faster for fixed connections, and 5x faster for mobile connections compared to those in low-income countries.

Fixed broadband connections, which provide high-speed internet to residences or businesses, reached 38% of the population in high-income countries. In comparison, fixed broadband penetration was only 4% of the population in lower-middle-income countries and almost zero in low-income countries.

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