Autonomy
Autonomy is the freedom and authority given to product teams to find the best path toward desired outcomes and decide what to build.
How does autonomy relate to accountability in product discovery?
As teams evolve from managing by outputs to managing by outcomes, they're given more autonomy to make decisions. However, this autonomy comes with responsibility—teams must be held accountable to delivering outcomes, not just shipping features.
How does engineer participation in discovery affect autonomy?
When engineers participate in discovery, they gain more autonomy to answer their own questions and move faster, rather than depending on the product manager for every detail. This participation allows engineers to understand context deeply enough to make good decisions independently.
How do organizations balance autonomy with consistency?
To give people autonomy while maintaining consistency, organizations must define guardrails that bound judgment. These guardrails should be wide enough to give people autonomy, but narrow enough that most people will make similarly consistent decisions.
Is autonomy the same as unlimited freedom?
Autonomy is not unlimited freedom. It operates within boundaries and requires the mindsets and skills to use it effectively.
Learn more:
- The Best Continuous Discovery Teams Cultivate These Mindsets
- Building a Culture of Accountability for Empowered Product Teams
Related terms:
- Empowered Team
- Product Trio
- Outcomes
- Accountability
Last Updated: October 25, 2025