The product development life cycle is a continuous process of research, implementation, and improvement that guides aspiring builders through the process of bringing new ideas to market, reducing risk, and maximizing the odds of finding traction. It consists of seven stages: ideation, validation, prototyping, marketing, development, launch, and improvement, each with its own objectives and importance in delivering a minimum viable product (MVP) that meets customer needs and drives sales. By understanding these stages and their objectives, entrepreneurs can take a product from idea to launch and beyond, staying flexible and adapting to feedback to deliver value to customers.