The art of synthesis

Product managers gather insights from many sources. User interviews reveal frustrations. Analytics show where users drop off. Support tickets highlight recurring complaints. Session replays uncover usability issues. The challenge is making sense of this flood of information.

Synthesis starts with identifying patterns. When 20% of users abandon their cart after five minutes, that's a signal worth investigating. Look at multiple data points to understand the full story. Session replays might show users getting stuck in checkout. Support tickets might mention confusing payment options. User interviews could reveal trust issues with security.

Good synthesis connects the dots between different data sources. It transforms scattered observations into clear insights. The goal is to move beyond individual data points and understand the bigger picture. This skill helps PMs identify which problems are worth solving.^[1]