Trade-offs vs dependencies

Trade-offs and dependencies often appear together in product work, but they are not the same:

• A trade-off is a choice between competing options, where gaining one benefit means giving up another. For example, delivering a feature quickly may improve time-to-market but reduce design quality. Trade-offs are unavoidable because resources like time and budget are limited.
• A dependency, on the other hand, is when one task or outcome relies on another. For instance, testing cannot begin until development is complete.

Dependencies are about sequencing and coordination, while trade-offs are about conscious choices between alternatives.

Making this distinction clear prevents confusion. Trade-offs are shaped by constraints and opportunity costs, while dependencies highlight relationships that can slow or enable progress. Product managers must recognize both to manage risks effectively and to explain why decisions or delays occur.