7 Common PM Phrases That Engineers Say Underestimate Real Complexity

A piece published on DEV Community humorously catalogues seven phrases product managers (PMs) frequently use that engineers find misleading or frustrating in practice. Examples include assurances that a change will take '15 minutes' or that a new feature can simply reuse existing code, both of which often mask significant hidden technical complexity. The article argues that what appears simple to clients or PMs — such as a single UI button — can involve cascading dependencies across APIs, databases, and multiple system components. It also challenges the notion of 'final requirements,' noting that scope changes after implementation are a near-universal engineering experience. The author's broader point is that better communication, including PMs admitting uncertainty about timelines, would reduce friction between product and engineering teams.