How do you decide which features to build next?

Question

As a first-time entrepreneur, prioritizing features for my upcoming product has been one of my biggest challenges. Every user wants something different, and it’s tough to decide what comes next!

For experienced founders: How do you approach feature prioritization? Do you focus more on user feedback, business goals, or something else? Any frameworks or strategies you swear by?

Jiawen · Accepted Answer

Hey Ryan! Totally get where you're coming from—prioritizing features can be a huge challenge, especially when everyone seems to want something different. For me, it's always been a mix of both user feedback and business goals. I usually start by identifying what will have the most immediate impact on the user experience while aligning with our long-term vision.
A framework I find useful is the RICE scoring model (reach, impact, confidence, and effort). It helps me quantify decisions based on what will bring the most value with the least resources. That said, gut feeling sometimes plays a part too—if something just "feels" right, I’m willing to experiment and see how users react.
Hope this helps a bit, and best of luck with your product launch! Would love to hear more about what you're building.

Scarsunt · Answer

As a product manager, I’ve found that sometimes it’s more effective to focus on strengthening your product’s core value rather than just following the latest trends or user requests. When deciding on the next feature, I ask myself, “What will keep users engaged and willing to pay for the long term?” This approach helps ensure that we’re building something with lasting impact rather than getting distracted by every new request. While user feedback is important, not all feedback should be treated equally—it’s crucial to identify the most significant pain points that will drive real value for your users.

Yvonne Tsai · Answer

User Feedback and Requests:

Surveys and Interviews: Regularly gather input from users through surveys or interviews to understand their pain points and desires.
    Support Tickets and Reviews: Analyze customer support interactions and product reviews to identify recurring issues or feature requests.

Data Analysis:

Usage Metrics: Track how users interact with the product using analytics tools. Features that are underused may need improvement, while popular features might suggest areas for expansion.
    A/B Testing: Conduct experiments to assess the potential impact of new features before full-scale development.

Market Research:

Competitive Analysis: Look at what competitors are offering and identify gaps in your own product. Consider features that could differentiate your offering.
    Trends: Stay informed about industry trends and emerging technologies that could influence feature development.

Wendy Huang · Answer

@jiawen_feng Hey Jiawen, thanks so much for the thoughtful response! 🥰 I love that you use a mix of user feedback and business goals—it’s reassuring to hear that balance works well for others. The RICE scoring model sounds super helpful for quantifying decisions. I’ll definitely be looking into that to help streamline the process.

How do you decide which features to build next?

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