Feature Prioritization

Why do product managers need a feature prioritization survey?

Product managers need feature prioritization surveys because they provide invaluable, direct insights into user needs and preferences, which are crucial for making informed decisions about product development. These surveys bridge the product team’s assumptions and the actual user experience, offering quantifiable data that can guide strategic choices. By directly asking users about feature importance and potential usage, product managers can uncover priorities that might need to be apparent through other feedback channels or internal discussions.

Feature prioritization surveys also serve as a powerful tool for validating or challenging a product manager’s existing assumptions. In the fast-paced world of product development, it’s easy for teams to become detached from user realities or swayed by internal biases. These surveys provide a reality check, ensuring product development efforts align closely with user needs and preferences. Moreover, the data gathered from these surveys can be instrumental in communicating decisions to stakeholders and team members, providing concrete evidence to support potentially tough prioritization choices.

How does a feature prioritization survey complement existing prioritization frameworks?

Feature prioritization surveys complement existing frameworks by adding a crucial, user-centric dimension to the decision-making process. While frameworks like RICE (Reach, Impact, Confidence, Effort) or the Kano Model provide structured approaches to prioritization, they often rely on internal estimations and assumptions. A feature prioritization survey injects real-world user data into these frameworks, enhancing their accuracy and relevance.

For instance, when using the RICE framework, the ‘Impact’ and ‘Confidence’ scores can be significantly informed by survey results. User feedback on feature importance and likely usage plays a pivotal role in providing a more accurate estimate of potential impact, while widespread agreement among surveyed users can boost confidence scores.

When is the best time in the product development cycle to conduct a feature prioritization survey?

The best time to conduct a feature prioritization survey is when the insights gained can meaningfully impact decision-making and when there’s sufficient time to act on the results. Product managers should aim to integrate these surveys into their regular planning cycles, ensuring that user input is a consistent part of the product development process.