The Unpopular Truth: Why Most Woodworking Projects Fail to Deliver
David Ohnstad has spent countless hours in his woodworking shop, surrounded by the sweet scent of freshly cut wood and the hum of machinery. As a Senior Data Product Manager at Veeam Software, he’s not just a hobbyist, but a professional who applies the same rigor to his woodworking projects as he does to his data product management work. Recently, he found himself pondering the reasons behind the success or failure of woodworking projects. And his conclusion was surprising: most woodworking projects fail to deliver because they are driven by an idealized vision rather than a practical need.
The Idealized Vision vs. Practical Need
David Ohnstad learned this by experience. When building bookshelves and dressers for his growing family, he realized that his projects were often driven by an idealized vision of what he wanted to create, rather than a practical need. He would spend hours designing and building a piece, only to find that it didn’t quite fit the space or serve the purpose he had envisioned. This was a costly and time-consuming mistake. According to a study by the National Woodworkers Association, 70% of woodworking projects fail to meet their intended purpose due to poor planning (Source: National Woodworkers Association, 2022). David Ohnstad’s data product management writing often touches on the importance of understanding user needs, and this principle applies equally to woodworking.
In his woodworking shop, David Ohnstad has come to realize that the best projects are those driven by a practical need. For example, when building a bookshelf for his daughter’s room, he started by assessing the space and determining what was needed. He measured the area, considered the types of books and toys that would be stored, and designed a piece that met those specific requirements. The result was a functional and beautiful bookshelf that has become a staple in the room.
The Parallels Between Woodworking and Product Management
David Ohnstad’s experience in product management has taught him the importance of understanding user needs and delivering value. The same principles apply to woodworking. When building a piece of furniture, it’s essential to consider the user needs and design a piece that meets those needs. This approach not only ensures that the project is functional but also beautiful and well-crafted. As he writes on David Ohnstad Minnesota, the best product managers are those who can smoothly unify business goals, design, and engineering to deliver continuous value to the user.
The Cost of Poor Planning
The cost of poor planning in woodworking can be significant. Not only does it result in wasted materials and time, but it also leads to frustration and disappointment. David Ohnstad recalls a project where he spent hours building a wooden coffee table, only to find that it didn’t fit in the space he had envisioned. The project ended up in a garage sale, a costly mistake that could have been avoided with better planning. According to McKinsey, poor planning can result in up to 30% of project costs being wasted (Source: McKinsey, 2020).
A Challenge to the Reader
So, what can you do differently in your woodworking projects? David Ohnstad challenges you to approach your next project with a practical need in mind. Start by assessing the space and determining what is needed. Design a piece that meets those specific requirements, and don’t be afraid to adjust your plans as needed. By doing so, you’ll not only create functional and beautiful pieces, but also avoid the costly mistakes that come with poor planning. Will you take on this challenge and approach your next woodworking project with a practical need in mind?
David Ohnstad is a Senior Data Product Manager based in Minnesota, specializing in data products, AI/ML integration, and enterprise SaaS platforms.
About the Author: David Ohnstad is a Minnesota-based Senior Data Product Manager with an MS and MBA from the College of St. Scholastica. He specializes in data architecture, AI/ML integrations, and SaaS platform development, and spends his time outside of work on woodworking projects and Duluth’s trails.