Discover authentic lessons from building products in India. Gain practical knowledge on decision-making and leadership through real field observations. Learn from experience, not textbooks.
Product thinking from the field.
Product Fieldnotes is a collection of observations, case studies and lessons from building digital products in the real world.
I write about the decisions behind the work not just the work itself: what problem we were solving, what assumptions shaped the decision, what went well, what didn't, and what I learned.
What you'll find here
01 — Field Notes
Short observations from the messy middle of product work.
The things that don't usually make it into a PRD, roadmap or launch announcement.
02 — Case Studies
Breakdowns of real product problems: the context, constraints, choices, trade-offs and lessons.
Specific details may be anonymized where confidentiality requires it.
03 — Product Thinking
Mental models, frameworks and decision principles that have become more useful through actual practice.
04 — Leadership Notes
Lessons from the transition from individual execution to leading through people, systems, decisions and leverage.
Gallery
"What I write about"
Product is bigger than features.
My work sits at the intersection of:
Product Strategy
Choosing what deserves attention—and what doesn't.
User Experience
Reducing friction and making useful things easier to discover.
Data & Analytics
Turning numbers into decisions rather than dashboards.
AI & Emerging Products
Separating genuine utility from technological novelty.
Content & Distribution
Designing products where creation, discovery and distribution work together.
Platforms & Systems
Building the underlying capabilities that make product teams faster.
Growth & Engagement
Understanding what brings people back—not just what brings them in.
Product Leadership
Moving from solving problems yourself to enabling better decisions across a team.
About Me
Ayush Upadhyay
I'm still learning. This is where I write down what the learning looks like.
I'm Ayush Upadhyay, a product leader working on large-scale digital consumer products in India.
My work has taken me across product strategy, user experience, analytics, content systems, engagement, AI-enabled experiences, personalisation, SEO, distribution, monetisation and platform capabilities.
Have a product problem worth thinking about?
I enjoy conversations that start with difficult questions rather than predetermined answers.
Latest Fieldnotes
Real-World Insights from Product Fieldnotes: Building Products with Purpose
Observations from the Field
At Product Fieldnotes, we believe that the best lessons come from real-world experiences rather than textbook theories. Our expertise lies in gathering authentic observations directly from the field, where products are built, tested, and refined. This hands-on approach allows us to provide valuable insights that reflect the true challenges and opportunities encountered during product development.
Expertise in Product Building and Decision Making
We specialize in helping businesses build products that resonate with their users by leveraging our in-depth understanding of product management, user experience, and strategic decision-making. Our services are designed to guide teams through the complexities of product development, ensuring decisions are data-driven and aligned with market needs. By sharing lessons learned from our own experiences, we empower organizations to innovate and grow with confidence.
Leadership Lessons and Unique Value
Beyond product development, Product Fieldnotes offers unique perspectives on leadership in the tech and product space. We emphasize learning through doing, helping leaders cultivate the skills necessary to inspire teams and drive successful outcomes. Our content and consultancy are grounded in practical knowledge, making us a trusted partner for companies looking to enhance both their products and leadership capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Product Fieldnotes?
A collection of product observations, case studies and lessons from real-world product work.
Is this a course?
No. It is a field journal, not a course.
Are the case studies real?
Many are based on real product situations, with confidential details generalised or omitted where necessary.
Who is this for?
Product managers, designers, engineers, founders, operators and anyone curious about how products are built.
Do you only write about product management?
No. The scope naturally extends into leadership, AI, business, decision-making and organisational thinking.
Let's talk product.
Have a question, disagreement, interesting problem or idea worth discussing?