In a recent LinkedIn post, product strategy expert Melissa Perri discusses the evolving nature of the “build trap” in the context of artificial intelligence. Perri highlights that while AI is enabling teams to ship products faster than ever, this increased speed does not inherently fix flawed strategies. She emphasizes that a lack of clear strategic direction can lead to initiatives that ultimately fail to deliver the expected return on investment.
“Everyone is shipping faster now, but speed doesn’t fix your strategy. When you don’t know why you’re building, nothing warns you.”
The AI Paradox in Product Development
Perri points to a recent survey indicating a widespread adoption of AI in product work, yet a significant portion of teams do not feel it’s strengthening their operations. According to the survey mentioned in her post, “85% of teams are already using AI for product work, but only 36% say it’s actually strengthening how they operate.” This suggests a disconnect between the implementation of AI tools and their effective integration into a robust product development process.
As Melissa Perri notes, the challenge lies not in the technology itself, but in how teams are structured and directed. She argues that simply adopting AI without a solid strategic foundation is a recipe for the build trap, where resources are expended on features or products that don’t align with business goals.
Adapting Operating Models for Speed and Strategy
Perri outlines key areas modern teams need to focus on to navigate this new landscape. She stresses the importance of a clear, well-communicated strategy that guides both human teams and their AI tools.
Cascading Strategy Effectively
A core element of Perri’s advice is ensuring that strategy is effectively cascaded down to the teams building the product. This ensures that AI tools, like their human counterparts, are working towards the same strategic objectives. Without this alignment, AI might optimize for the wrong things, leading to wasted effort.
Shaping Teams for Value Flow
Furthermore, Perri advocates for shaping teams to prioritize speed and value flow. This involves not just adopting new tools, but also ensuring the team’s structure and processes support efficient delivery of value. As Perri puts it:
“Shaping teams for speed and value flow, while supporting them with the right tools”
This approach requires a holistic view of the product development lifecycle, considering how individuals, teams, and tools interact to achieve strategic goals.
Diagnosing Operating Model Issues
Before implementing new roles or rituals, Perri emphasizes the critical step of diagnosing existing issues within the operating model. This proactive approach ensures that changes are targeted and effective, rather than simply adding complexity. She states:
“Diagnosing what’s broken in the operating model before installing new roles and rituals”
This focus on diagnosis and strategic alignment is crucial for overcoming the modern build trap, especially as AI accelerates development cycles. Perri’s insights suggest that while AI offers powerful capabilities, strategic clarity remains the most vital component for product success.
Perri announced that this conference talk is her only public speaking engagement left for the year, encouraging interested individuals to attend.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Melissa Perri on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on September 9, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →