Product Glossary for Non-technical Professional

Navigate the technical jargon of the product world like a champion with Buildink's comprehensive glossary.

Plan Your Product Match With Developers

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

A

A server that acts as an API front-end, receiving API requests, enforcing throttling and security policies, passing requests to the back-end service, and then passing the response back to the request

A method of comparing two versions of a product or feature to determine which one performs better, based on user interactions.

Agile Development

A methodology that promotes continuous iteration of development and testing throughout the software development life cycle.

API (Application Programming Interface)

A set of tools and protocols that allow different software applications to communicate with each other, enabling them to share data and functionality.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, particularly computer systems, which include learning, reasoning, and self-correction.

B

The collection and analysis of vast amounts of data that are too large or complex for traditional data processing tools, used to uncover patterns, trends, and associations.

The rate at which a company spends its cash reserves before generating positive cash flow from operations.

A prioritized list of features, enhancements, and bug fixes that are to be implemented in a product, often managed by a product owner.

A decentralized digital ledger technology that records transactions across many computers so that the record cannot be altered retroactively without the alteration of all subsequent blocks.

Behavioral Analytics

The analysis of user behavior within a product, often used to optimize user experience and increase conversion rates.

C

The percentage of customers who stop using a product or service during a given time period, often used to measure customer retention.

The practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information.

Cloud Computing

The delivery of computing services like servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics over the internet, allowing for flexible resources and economies of scale.

Conversion Rate

The percentage of users who take a desired action, such as signing up for a service or purchasing a product.

Customer Journey Map

A visual representation of the process a customer goes through to achieve a goal with a product, from initial contact to final interaction.

D

A set of practices that combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) to shorten the systems development life cycle and deliver high-quality software continuously.

The practice of a company using its own products to test and improve them before making them available to customers.

The process of examining data sets to draw conclusions about the information they contain, often with the help of specialized systems and software.

Digital Transformation

The integration of digital technology into all areas of a business, fundamentally changing how you operate and deliver value to customers.

Data-Driven Development

A development approach that relies on data analysis and metrics to guide decisions and improve product outcomes.

E

A large body of work that can be broken down into smaller tasks or user stories, often used in agile development to represent major features or goals.

A planned approach to exiting a business venture, such as through a sale, merger, or IPO, often considered during the product planning phase.

Edge Computing is a distributed computing model that processes data closer to its source, reducing latency and enabling real-time decision-making.

F

The stages that potential customers go through before making a purchase, often represented as a funnel from awareness to conversion.

The tendency for a product to accumulate more features over time, often leading to increased complexity and project delays.

The state of having equivalent features in different versions of a product, such as desktop and mobile versions.

G

The application of game-design elements and principles in non-game contexts, such as apps or websites, to increase user engagement.

A marketing strategy focused on quickly scaling a company by using innovative, low-cost methods to acquire and retain customers.

A platform that hosts Git repositories and provides collaboration tools for developers, including issue tracking, code review, and project management features.

A query language for APIs that allows clients to request exactly the data they need, making API interactions more efficient and flexible compared to REST.

A technology used in mobile apps that defines a virtual boundary around a geographical area, triggering specific actions or notifications when a user enters or exits that area.

H

A quick and often temporary fix for a critical software bug or vulnerability, typically implemented in response to an immediate issue in a live system.

A visual representation of data where individual values are represented by colors. In the context of UX/UI, heatmaps are used to show where users are clicking, scrolling, or focusing their attention

An event, typically lasting several days, where developers, designers, and other tech enthusiasts collaborate intensively to create software projects or solve problems.

Hyperautomation

The use of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to automate processes in ways that are significantly more sophisticated than tradit

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)

The foundational protocol used for transmitting data on the web, enabling the transfer of hypertext between clients and servers.

I

A process of refining and improving a product by repeatedly testing and modifying it based on user feedback and other data.

In-App Messaging

The practice of sending messages directly to users within a mobile app or web application, often used to enhance engagement or provide support.

Iterative Development:

A process of building a product through repeated cycles (iterations), each time refining and improving the product based on feedback and testing.

Internet of Things (IoT)

The interconnection of everyday objects via the internet, enabling them to send and receive data, creating smarter and more responsive environments.

J

A widely-used, high-level programming language known for its portability across platforms, often used in web, mobile, and enterprise applications.

A scripting language primarily used to create interactive effects within web browsers, enabling dynamic content on websites.

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation):

A lightweight data-interchange format that is easy for humans to read and write, and easy for machines to parse and generate, commonly used in APIs.

K

A visual workflow management method used to track the progress of tasks in agile development, often represented by cards on a board.

An open-source platform for automating the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications, often used in cloud environments.

Key Performance Indicator (KPI)

A measurable value that demonstrates how effectively an organization is achieving key business objectives, often used to gauge success over time.

L

A methodology for developing businesses and products by experimenting, testing hypotheses, and iterating based on validated learning.

The time delay between a user action and the response from a system, often measured in milliseconds; critical in evaluating software performance.

A development approach that allows users to create applications with minimal hand-coding, using visual interfaces and pre-built components.

A type of performance testing that evaluates how a system behaves under a specific load, often used to ensure software can handle expected user traffic.

The process of adapting software or a product to meet the language, cultural, and other specific requirements of a particular region or country.

M

An architectural style that structures an application as a collection of loosely coupled services, each of which implements a specific business capability.

Machine Learning (ML)

A branch of artificial intelligence focused on building systems that learn from data and improve their performance without being explicitly programmed.

Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

A version of a product with just enough features to satisfy early customers and provide feedback for future product development.

A popular NoSQL database known for its flexibility, scalability, and ease of use, often used in modern web applications for storing unstructured data.

Data that provides information about other data, such as the author, date of creation, or file type, commonly used to organize, manage, and retrieve information in software systems.

N

A development approach that allows users to create applications and workflows without writing code, using visual interfaces and pre-built modules.

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

A field of artificial intelligence that focuses on the interaction between computers and humans through natural language, enabling machines to understand and respond to human language.

A type of database that provides a mechanism for storage and retrieval of data modeled in means other than the tabular relations used in relational databases, often used for handling large volumes

A JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's V8 engine that allows developers to build scalable network applications using JavaScript on the server side.

A software application developed specifically for a particular platform or device, such as iOS or Android, using platform-specific programming languages and tools.

O

The process of introducing new users to a product or service, typically involving tutorials, guides, and support to ensure a smooth start.

A period during which a service or system is unavailable, often due to technical failures or maintenance, impacting users' access to services.

Software whose source code is freely available for anyone to inspect, modify, and enhance, promoting collaboration and sharing within the community.

Operating System (OS):

The software that manages hardware resources and provides common services for computer programs, serving as the foundation for applications to run on devices.

OAuth (Open Authorization)

An open standard for access delegation, commonly used to grant websites or applications limited access to user information without exposing passwords.

P

An early model or release of a product used to test a concept or process, allowing teams to explore ideas before full-scale development.

Product Roadmap

A strategic plan that outlines the vision, direction, priorities, and progress of a product over time.

Product-Market Fit

The degree to which a product satisfies strong market demand, often seen as a key indicator of potential success.

Q

A request for information or data from a database, often written in SQL, used to retrieve specific data based on defined criteria.

Quality Assurance (QA)

The process of systematically monitoring and evaluating various aspects of a project, service, or facility to ensure that standards of quality are met.

Quick Response (QR) Code

A two-dimensional barcode that stores information, such as URLs or text, that can be scanned and read by a camera-equipped device.

Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)

Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): The total cost of acquiring a new customer, including marketing, sales, and other related expenses.

R

The percentage of customers who continue to use a product or service over a specified time period, indicating customer loyalty.

RPA (Robotic Process Automation)

The use of software robots to automate highly repetitive tasks usually performed by a human, enhancing efficiency and reducing human error.

A technique used to control the rate of incoming or outgoing traffic in a network, API, or system to prevent overload and ensure fair usage.

Responsive Design

An approach to web and application design that ensures content is accessible and looks good on a wide range of devices and screen sizes.

Requirements Specification

A detailed description of the functional and non-functional requirements of a software product, used to guide development and ensure the final product meets the user's needs.

S

An agile framework for managing complex projects, typically involving small, cross-functional teams working in iterative cycles called sprints.

A set period during which specific work must be completed and made ready for review, commonly used in Scrum methodology.

Scalability is the ability of a system, network, or process to handle growth and increased demand while maintaining performance and efficiency.

Serverless Computing

A cloud computing model where the cloud provider automatically manages the infrastructure, allowing developers to focus solely on writing code.

SaaS (Software as a Service)

A software distribution model in which applications are hosted by a service provider and made available to customers over the internet.

T

The implied cost of additional rework caused by choosing an easy or limited solution now instead of using a better approach that would take longer.

The combination of technologies, programming languages, frameworks, and tools used to build and run a software application.

The process of replacing sensitive data with unique identification symbols, or tokens, to protect the data in transit or storage.

The ability of a programming language to automatically deduce the data types of variables and expressions without explicit type annotations.

Third-Party Integration

The process of connecting an application with external services or APIs provided by other vendors to extend functionality.

U

The measure of how easy and efficient a product is to use, often evaluated through user testing and feedback.

A simple description of a feature from the perspective of the end-user, typically written to capture what the user wants to achieve with the product.

A fictional character created to represent a user type that might use a product in a similar way, helping to guide design and development decisions.

User Engagement

The degree to which users interact with a product, often measured by metrics like session duration, click-through rates, and active users.

User Interface (UI)

The part of a product that users interact with, including screens, buttons, icons, and other visual elements.

V

Version Control

A system that records changes to a file or set of files over time, allowing you to track revisions and revert to previous versions.

The practice of assigning unique version numbers to software releases, enabling tracking of updates and changes over time.

A situation where a customer becomes dependent on a particular vendor's products or services, making it difficult to switch to a competitor without significant costs or effort.

Vector Graphics

A type of digital image created using mathematical equations to define shapes, allowing for scalable images that do not lose quality when resized.

W

A skeletal representation of a website or application, used to outline the basic structure and layout before the design and development stages.

A small, self-contained application or tool embedded within a web page or software interface, often providing specific functionality like a weather update or a calendar.

A method for one application to send real-time data to another whenever a specific event occurs, often used for integrations and automation.

A list of entities, such as IP addresses, email addresses, or applications, that are explicitly allowed to access a system or network, enhancing security by restricting access to trusted IPs

Waterfall Model

A linear and sequential software development methodology where each phase must be completed before the next one begins, often criticized for its lack of flexibility.

X

XML (eXtensible Markup Language)

A markup language used to encode documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable, often used for data interchange between systems.

An integrated development environment (IDE) provided by Apple for developing software for macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS, including coding, debugging, and testing tools.

A language used for navigating through elements and attributes in an XML document, commonly used to retrieve specific data from XML files.

XSS (Cross-Site Scripting)

A security vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Y

A unit of digital information storage equal to 1,024 zettabytes (ZB), used in reference to massive data storage capacities in large-scale products.

YAGNI (You Ain't Gonna Need It):

A principle of extreme programming and agile development that suggests not adding functionality until it is necessary, to avoid feature bloat in products.

YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language)

A human-readable data serialization standard often used for configuration files in software products, known for its simplicity and ease of use.

Z

A CSS property that determines the stacking order of elements on a web page, controlling which elements appear in front of or behind others.

A compressed file format that reduces the size of files for storage or transmission, often used to bundle multiple files into a single archive.

The concept of eliminating or minimizing delay in data processing, transmission, or user interaction, often used in high-performance computing and real-time applications.

Zero-Day Vulnerability

A security flaw in software that is unknown to the vendor and for which no patch is available, making it susceptible to exploitation by attackers.

Product Glossary for Non-Technical Professionals

Are you new to the product world and finding it challenging to grasp the tech jargon and lingo? Look no further—you've come to the right place! Welcome to our comprehensive Product Glossary, crafted specifically for non-technical professionals who aspire to gain a better understanding of the terminology associated with building digital products and software. Here, you'll discover clear and concise definitions of key terms, concepts, and features that are prevalently used in our industry. Whether you’re just stepping into the field or seeking to refresh your existing knowledge, this glossary is designed to demystify complex jargon and empower you with the confidence to actively participate in product discussions. From fundamental terminology to more intricate concepts, our aim is to provide you with a friendly and accessible resource for all your product-related inquiries.

Supercharge your product journey with Buildink AI Driven Product Planning and No-code talent matchmaking

Navigating the technical jargon and lingo of product and technical teams can indeed be daunting. That’s precisely why we’ve curated this glossary—to assist you on your journey toward product fluency. At Buildink, we are dedicated to making your product development process easier, faster, and more cost-effective. We achieve this by aiding in product discovery with our innovative AI product manager, which is designed to match your project with the right tools and talent required to bring your vision to life. Our glossary serves as your dependable guide as you delve into the world of product development with ease and assurance. Explore the glossary and equip yourself with the knowledge needed to turn your ideas into reality, understanding everything from agile methodologies to user experience design principles. Let us be your partner in building better products while gaining a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of the tech world.

Plan Your Product Now

Buildink Support

Hi There! Welcome to Buildink. How can I help you today?