Warfare has played a significant role in the development of technology since ancient times. The need for weapons and military equipment drove the development of new technologies and innovations that have had broad applications beyond the battlefield. Here are a few examples:
- The development of metallurgy: The first weapons were made of stone and wood, but the discovery of metalworking allowed for the creation of more durable and effective weapons such as swords, spears, and armor.
- The invention of gunpowder: The invention of gunpowder in China during the 9th century revolutionized warfare and led to the development of guns and other firearms.
- Advances in transportation: Warfare has been a driver of advances in transportation technology, such as the development of chariots, horses, and ships. These advances in transportation also had broader applications in commerce and trade.
- Communication technology: Military communication technology has driven the development of innovations such as the telegraph and radio. These technologies have had broad applications in fields such as broadcasting and telecommunications.
- Advances in medical technology: Warfare has driven advances in medical technology, such as the development of triage systems and the invention of antiseptics. These innovations have had broad applications in public health.
The need for military equipment, transportation, communication, and medical technology has been a major driver of technological innovation throughout history. While warfare has many negative consequences, the innovations that it has driven have had broad and lasting impacts on society.
Steps of Development
The development of technology driven by warfare has been a multi-step process that typically involves several stages of innovation and refinement. Here are some general steps that may be involved in the development of a new technology:
- Identification of a need: The need for a new technology typically arises in response to a specific military requirement. For example, the development of new weapons or transportation systems may be driven by the need to gain a military advantage.
- Concept development: Once a need has been identified, engineers and scientists will begin to develop concepts for new technologies that can meet the need. This stage may involve brainstorming, computer simulations, and physical prototypes.
- Prototype testing: Once a concept has been developed, a physical prototype is typically built and tested to evaluate its performance. The prototype may be tested under a range of conditions to identify any flaws or weaknesses.
- Iteration and refinement: Based on the results of prototype testing, the technology is refined and improved. This may involve changes to the design, materials, or manufacturing process.
- Large-scale production: Once the technology has been refined and perfected, it may be put into large-scale production. This typically involves the development of manufacturing processes and quality control systems to ensure that the technology can be produced at scale.
- Deployment: Finally, the new technology is deployed in the field, where it is used to support military operations. Ongoing testing and evaluation may continue to identify areas for improvement, leading to further refinement of the technology.
These steps are iterative and ongoing, and the development of a new technology may involve many cycles of design, testing, and refinement. Over time, the technology may become more sophisticated and complex, leading to further advances and innovations.
Learnings for B2B SaaS product builders
Modern b2b saas product companies can learn several valuable lessons from the development of technology driven by warfare:
- Focus on solving a specific need: Just like military technology, b2b saas products should be designed to solve specific needs or pain points for their customers. This requires a deep understanding of customer needs and the ability to develop innovative solutions to meet those needs.
As military technology, Slack was designed to solve a specific need: the need for a more efficient way for teams to communicate and collaborate. The iterative development process used in military technology development is also reflected in Slack’s product development, as the company is constantly releasing new features and refining existing ones based on user feedback.
Another great example of military sharp focus is Salesforce — designed to solve a specific need: the need for a more efficient way to manage customer relationships. The platform has undergone continuous improvement over the years, with new features and capabilities added to meet the changing needs of its users.
Amazon Web Services is another example that was designed to meet a specific need: the need for businesses to have access to scalable computing resources without having to invest in expensive hardware. AWS’s ability to scale up or down depending on demand is similar to the way military technology needs to be scalable to support changing needs on the battlefield. Not suprisingly AWS was one of the winners to provide cloud services to Pentagon.
Zoom, a video conferencing platform, was designed to solve a specific need: the need for remote communication and collaboration. The platform has undergone continuous improvement since its inception, with new features and capabilities added to enhance the user experience and meet the changing needs of its users.
These examples demonstrate how b2b saas product companies can apply a specific lesson from military technology development to create products that meet specific needs.
Other principles include:
- Iterative development: The iterative development process used in military technology can also be applied to b2b saas product development. By constantly testing and refining the product, companies can identify areas for improvement and ensure that the product is meeting the needs of its customers.
- Importance of prototyping and testing: Prototype testing is a crucial step in the development of new military technology, and the same is true for b2b saas products. Prototyping and testing allows companies to identify flaws and areas for improvement early in the development process, which can save time and resources down the line.
- Manufacturing at scale: Once a military technology has been refined, it is produced at scale to support military operations. Similarly, b2b saas products need to be designed to be scalable and able to support large numbers of users.
- Continuous improvement: The development of military technology is an ongoing process, with constant testing and refinement to ensure that the technology remains effective in the face of changing circumstances. B2b saas product companies should adopt a similar mindset of continuous improvement, constantly evaluating and refining their products to meet the changing needs of their customers.
- Data analysis: Just as military technology relies on data analysis to make informed decisions, b2b saas product companies can also use data analysis to gain insights into their users and their behavior. For example, Google Analytics and Mixpanel are popular tools used by b2b saas product companies to track user behavior and make data-driven decisions about product development and marketing strategies. Palantir Technologies is a data analysis company that provides solutions for the military, intelligence, and law enforcement communities. Their products help users to analyze vast amounts of data and make informed decisions based on that data. They use advanced analytics tools, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to help their customers identify patterns and make predictions.
- Agile development: Agile development is an iterative approach to software development that emphasizes flexibility and responsiveness to changing requirements. This approach is similar to the iterative development process used in military technology development. Many b2b saas product companies, such as Atlassian and Trello, use agile development methodologies to rapidly iterate and refine their products based on user feedback. Lockheed Martin is a leading military technology company that uses agile development methodologies to rapidly iterate and refine their products. For example, they used agile development to build their F-35 fighter jet, which involved multiple stakeholders and complex requirements. By using an agile approach, they were able to quickly respond to changing requirements and ensure that the final product met the needs of their customers.
- User-centered design: Military technology development has historically been focused on meeting the needs of the end-user, and b2b saas product companies are also increasingly adopting a user-centered design approach. This involves involving users in the product development process, soliciting feedback, and making design decisions based on user needs and preferences. Companies like UserTesting and InVision offer tools and services that help b2b saas product companies incorporate user-centered design principles into their product development process. Raytheon Technologies is a military technology company that focuses on user-centered design principles. They conduct extensive research to understand the needs and preferences of their users and incorporate that feedback into their product design process. For example, they designed their Iron Dome missile defense system to be highly intuitive and user-friendly, which has contributed to its successful deployment in combat situations.
- Security and encryption: Military technology has long been concerned with security and encryption, and this same focus on security is now also critical for b2b saas product companies. With cyber attacks and data breaches becoming increasingly common, it is essential for b2b saas product companies to ensure the security of their users’ data. Companies like Okta and Duo Security offer solutions that help b2b saas product companies protect their users’ data through advanced security and encryption measures. BAE Systems is a military technology company that provides advanced security and encryption solutions for their customers. They specialize in developing solutions to protect against cyber attacks and data breaches. For example, they developed a secure communications system for the U.S. Army that uses advanced encryption and authentication protocols to protect against unauthorized access to sensitive information.
By adopting these principles, b2b saas product companies can develop products that are more effective, scalable, and responsive to the needs of their customers. These examples demonstrate how military technology companies use key principles, such as data analysis, agile development, user-centered design, and security and encryption, to create products that meet the needs of their customers, are responsive to changing requirements, and provide secure and reliable services.
In conclusion, the principles and strategies of warfare can offer valuable lessons for Chief Product Officers (CPOs) or anybody in the C-suite of B2B SaaS companies. By studying the tactics and approaches of successful military leaders and technology companies, CPOs can gain insights into how to develop effective product strategies, prioritize customer needs, and create products that are agile, user-centered, and secure.
Key takeaways for CPOs include the importance of data analysis, agile development, user-centered design, and security and encryption, as well as the need to constantly adapt to changing market conditions and customer needs. By applying these principles to their own product development processes, CPOs can create products that meet the needs of their customers, stay ahead of the competition, and ultimately drive business success.
While the principles of warfare strategy may not directly apply to B2B SaaS product development, there are still some valuable insights that can be drawn from military strategy and applied to product development:
- Strategic thinking — One of the key principles of military strategy is strategic thinking, which involves considering the big picture and planning for the long-term. In B2B SaaS product development, strategic thinking can help you identify your goals and objectives, and develop a roadmap for achieving them.
- Flexibility and adaptability — Another important principle of military strategy is flexibility and adaptability. In a rapidly changing environment, it is important to be able to adjust your plans and tactics to meet new challenges and opportunities. In B2B SaaS product development, this principle can help you pivot quickly in response to market feedback or changes in user needs.
- Risk management — Military strategy also emphasizes the importance of risk management, including identifying and mitigating potential risks and threats. In B2B SaaS product development, risk management can help you identify potential roadblocks or challenges and develop strategies to overcome them.
- Leadership and teamwork — Effective military strategy depends on strong leadership and effective teamwork. In B2B SaaS product development, these principles can help you build a strong team and cultivate a culture of collaboration and innovation.
Overall, while the principles of warfare strategy may not be directly applicable to B2B SaaS product development, they can provide valuable insights and guidance for building a successful product and business strategy.
