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Product Management

Product Prioritization

281 people are learning this skill right now!
Product prioritization is an ongoing process to decide the order in which product features should be built. Product prioritization used to be more subjective, but new frameworks have developed over time that tie prioritization to data, clear inputs, and outcomes.

  1. Learn Product Prioritization with the Practica AI Coach

    The Practica AI Coach helps you improve in Product Prioritization by using your current work challenges as opportunities to improve. The AI Coach will ask you questions, instruct you on concepts and tactics, and give you feedback as you make progress.

  2. RICE / ICE Methods: Reach, Impact, Confidence, Effort

    Reach, Impact, Confidence, Effort - The RICE and ICE methods are popular frameworks for prioritizing product features based on their reach, impact, Confidence, and effort. While RICE prioritizes based on the potential impact and reach of a feature, ICE prioritizes based on the ease of implementation and expected customer impact. Both methods have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between them depends on the specific needs of the product team.
    • Intercom logo
      RICE: Simple Prioritization for Product Managers

      Sean McBride, Product Manager, Intercom

      Sean introduces a rigorous scoring system that uses predicted reach, impact, Confidence, and effort. The 4 inputs can then be combined into a single score to rank roadmap ideas.
    • Google logo
      Evidence Scores — the Acid Test of Your Ideas

      Itamar Gilad, Product Manager, Google

      Itamar dives deep into how to calculate a Confidence score, by looking at various forms of evidence: anecdotes, market data, user evidence, test results, and launch data.
    • Shopify logo
      Ruthless Prioritization

      Brandon Chu, GM, Platform, Shopify

      Brandon's prioritization framework focuses on the I and E in RICE - impact and effort, which can be divided by one another to produce ROI. After ROI is calculated, constraints like dependencies, timelines, and team composition can be applied. Brandon also describes how small items (like bugs) are too high in volume to run a rigorous process, so they should receive quick and sometimes chaotic analyses.

  3. Balancing Multiple Priorities & Inputs

    Balancing Multiple Priorities & Inputs - Product prioritization is a complex process that involves balancing multiple priorities and inputs, such as customer feedback, business goals, and technical feasibility. To effectively prioritize, product teams need to establish clear criteria for decision-making, communicate priorities to stakeholders, and regularly review and adjust priorities based on new information. Collaboration and Alignment across teams are also critical to ensuring that the most important features are being developed.

  4. Product Prioritization Cheat Sheet

    Here is a quick reference for the top 5 things you need to know about Product Prioritization.

    1. Define Product Goals
      • Align product goals with the company's strategic objectives.
      • Identify and prioritize metrics to measure success.
      • Consider customer needs, market trends, and business impact.
    2. Gather Data and Insights
      • Conduct user research to understand customer preferences and pain points.
      • Analyze market trends, competition, and industry benchmarks.
      • Consider technical feasibility and resource constraints.
    3. Evaluate and Score Projects
      • Develop a scoring framework based on predefined criteria.
      • Assign weights to criteria based on business priorities.
      • Evaluate each project against the criteria and calculate scores.
    4. Prioritize Projects
      • Rank projects based on their scores and business value.
      • Consider dependencies, resource availability, and strategic alignment.
      • Determine the appropriate sequencing and timing for each project.
    5. Communicate and Validate
      • Present the prioritized projects to stakeholders and leadership.
      • Explain the rationale behind the prioritization decisions.
      • Gather feedback, address concerns, and refine the prioritization if needed.

  5. Frequently asked questions

    • How do I choose the best prioritization framework for my product?

      The choice of a prioritization framework depends on your product's stage, the size of your team, and your organization's goals. Some popular frameworks include the RICE model, Kano model, MoSCoW method, and the Value vs. Effort matrix. It's essential to evaluate each framework's suitability for your product and team, and you may even customize or combine frameworks to fit your needs.

    • How do I ensure that stakeholder input is considered during the prioritization process?

      Involve stakeholders in the prioritization process from the beginning. This can be done by conducting workshops, surveys, or interviews to gather their opinions and insights. Additionally, make sure to communicate the prioritization criteria and process clearly to all stakeholders, and provide opportunities for them to give feedback on the proposed priorities.

    • How often should I revisit and update my product prioritization?

      Product prioritization should be a continuous and iterative process. The frequency of revisiting and updating your priorities depends on your product's lifecycle stage, market dynamics, and the organization's goals. For most products, it's a good practice to review priorities at least once per quarter. However, if your product operates in a rapidly changing market or if there are significant shifts in your organization's strategy, you may need to revisit your priorities more frequently.

    • How do I balance short-term and long-term priorities in my product roadmap?

      Balancing short-term and long-term priorities requires a clear understanding of your product's vision and strategic goals. Start by identifying the most critical long-term objectives and aligning them with your product's vision. Then, break down these objectives into smaller, achievable short-term goals. Ensure that your prioritization process considers both short-term and long-term priorities, and allocate resources accordingly. Regularly review and adjust your roadmap to maintain the right balance between short-term wins and long-term success.

    • How do I measure the success of my product prioritization efforts?

      Measuring the success of your product prioritization efforts involves tracking both quantitative and qualitative metrics. Quantitative metrics can include revenue growth, customer acquisition, and feature usage, while qualitative metrics can involve customer satisfaction, stakeholder feedback, and team morale. Regularly review these metrics to assess the effectiveness of your prioritization process and make adjustments as needed to improve your product's performance and alignment with your organization's goals.