#23: Is it worth switching to Shape Up? - with Stéphane Turquay (Principal Product Manager at Smallpdf) episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 20, 2025 · 28 MIN

#23: Is it worth switching to Shape Up? - with Stéphane Turquay (Principal Product Manager at Smallpdf)

from Product Academy Tough Stuff · host Product Academy

In this conversation, Tanja Lau and Stéphane Turquay discuss the Shape Up methodology, a product development framework that emphasizes fixed timelines with variable scopes. Stéphane shares insights on the shaping and building phases, the challenges faced during implementation at SmallPDF, and the importance of team dynamics. They explore how Shape Up allows for greater ownership among teams and the need for a mature product and skilled team members for successful adoption.Chapters00:00    Introduction to Shape Up01:17      Understanding the Shape Up Methodology01:56     The Shaping and Building Phases05:08    Real-World Application of Shape Up06:05    The Pitch Process in Shape Up10:43     The Betting Table and Team Dynamics15:52      Introducing Shape Up at SmallPDF21:14      Benefits and Challenges of Shape Up22:57     Recommendations and Pitfalls for ImplementationOUR GUESTStéphane Turquay is a Principal Product Manager at Smallpdf, one of the world’s most popular platforms for PDFs and document management.With a decade of experience in SaaS growth and monetization, he helps build products that delight millions of users worldwide.Based in Zurich, Stéphane has worked across international organizations, corporate spin-ups, and startups, driven by curiosity, clarity, and impact.USEFUL RESOURCEShttps://basecamp.com/shapeuphttps://www.houseful.blog/posts/2023/shape-up-at-zoopla/https://techblog.beefree.io/one-year-of-shape-up-part-2-why-it-works-for-us-bb9413b497ab#32d3https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoCGibVonBEhttps://marmelab.com/blog/2024/09/26/shape-up.html COOK WHILE LISTENINGWarm Tuna Sashimi with Rucola, Parmesan & Rice Noodles 

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Nov 20, 2025

Embed this episode

NOW PLAYING

#23: Is it worth switching to Shape Up? - with Stéphane Turquay (Principal Product Manager at Smallpdf)

0:00 28:04

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Product Academy Tough Stuff?

This episode is 28 minutes long.

When was this Product Academy Tough Stuff episode published?

This episode was published on November 20, 2025.

Can I download this Product Academy Tough Stuff episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!