How to Select the Right Problem and Build a Roadmap Full of Good Ideas
In the world of product management, selecting the right problem to solve is akin to finding a needle in a haystack. It’s not just about having a strategy; it’s about executing it with precision and passion.
Published on April 25, 2024
Introduction: The Art of Choosing Wisely
As someone deeply entrenched in the product management field, I’ve journeyed through the process of identifying high-impact work and execution. It’s a path filled with myths, misconceptions, and the constant quest for validation. Today, I want to share insights into navigating this complex landscape, ensuring that your roadmap is not just a collection of ideas but a carefully curated list of validated, high-impact problems waiting to be solved.
The Misconception of Equal Importance
One of the first myths that need busting is the idea that all features or problems are equally important. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is that resources are limited, and spreading them too thinly across multiple features can lead to none being executed effectively. It’s crucial to focus on what truly matters, prioritizing features that have a larger impact on user satisfaction and strategic goals. This approach not only ensures a more efficient allocation of resources but also keeps the team focused on high-impact areas.
The Trap of Customer Requests
Another common pitfall is prioritizing based solely on customer requests. While it might seem logical to solve every customer need, this approach can lead to feature bloat and a loss of strategic direction. It’s essential to balance customer feedback with the overall product strategy, ensuring that each feature contributes significantly to the product’s success. Sometimes, this means making tough decisions and focusing on features that, while not requested by every customer, are strategically important.
The Illusion of the Perfect Framework
Many product managers fall into the trap of searching for the perfect prioritization framework, believing it will solve all their problems. However, the truth is that no one-size-fits-all solution exists. Prioritization frameworks should be adaptable to your specific context, taking into account the ever-changing business landscape and the unique challenges your product faces. Embracing flexibility and simplicity in your prioritization process is key to navigating these challenges effectively.
One tool I’ve used with teams to prioritise and find extremely helpful is the confidence metre by Itamar Gilad. If you’ve got the time, here’s a longer video covering it in depth.
Building a Roadmap Full of Good Ideas
So, how do you ensure your roadmap is filled with good, validated ideas? The answer lies in a combination of pre-validation and post-validation techniques. From user research and prototyping to product analytics and A/B testing, these methods provide the evidence needed to build confidence in your ideas. It’s about moving beyond gut feelings and opinions, grounding your decisions in real customer data and market research. This approach not only enhances the quality of your roadmap but also increases the chances of your product’s success in the market.
Conclusion: The Journey of Continuous Discovery
In conclusion, selecting the right problem and building a roadmap full of good ideas is a journey of continuous discovery. It requires busting myths, challenging misconceptions, and constantly seeking validation. As product managers, our role is to navigate this complex landscape with a clear focus, ensuring that every feature we prioritize and every problem we choose to solve has a significant impact on our product’s success. Let’s embrace this journey with passion and precision, transforming our roadmaps into strategic tools that drive our products forward.