The Back of the Napkin

Overview

What if there was a way to more quickly understand business challenges, communicate ideas, and solve problems using simple pictures? There is. Roam demonstrates that everyone is born with a talent for visual thinking, and with simple frameworks anyone can use that talent to make problems clear, communicate with impact, and sell ideas. The book introduces the "visual thinking" process and shows how to use simple drawings to clarify complex ideas, communicate concepts that words can't capture, and develop innovative solutions. You don't need to be an artist to draw for thinking and communication—you just need to understand the basic visual elements and frameworks. For product managers who need to communicate complex concepts and align stakeholders, visual thinking is an invaluable skill.

Key Takeaways

• Six ways to see: Who/What, How much, Where, When, How, Why
• Simple shapes and frameworks enable anyone to think visually
• Visual thinking clarifies complex problems faster than words
• Use the SQVID method to explore ideas: Simple, Quality, Vision, Individual, Delta

Who Should Read This Book?

Why Read The Back of the Napkin?

The Back of the Napkin is widely regarded as essential reading in the product design & uxspace for product managers. Dan Roam's insights have helped thousands of product professionals improve their craft and deliver better products.

Whether you're an aspiring product manager looking to break into the field or an experienced PM seeking to deepen your expertise in product design & ux, this book provides practical frameworks and real-world examples that you can apply immediately.

With 1,678 reviews and an average rating of 4.4 out of 5, The Back of the Napkin has proven its value to the product management community. Join the thousands of professionals who have benefited from this essential resource.