How do you prioritize features when building a product roadmap for your SaaS?

Question

When developing a SaaS product, deciding which features to build first can be tough, especially with limited resources. How do you prioritize features in your product roadmap? Do you rely on user feedback, competitive analysis, or internal vision? I’d love to hear your approach, especially how you balance short-term wins with long-term strategic goals, and whether you use any frameworks or tools to help with this process.

AnnaHo · Accepted Answer

@ameliarosethornton Thanks for sharing! We prioritize based on user feedback and long-term goals, using the MoSCoW method to balance quick wins with strategic impact.

Amelia Rose Thornton · Answer

We prioritize features based on a combo of user impact, dev effort, and biz value. High-impact/low-effort stuff goes to the top, then big strategic features. Small UX tweaks sprinkled in to keep users happy. Ultimately it's both art and science - gotta trust your gut while still being data-driven.

AnnaHo · Answer

@arindam_vaidya Great insights! Competitive and GAP analysis is crucial. Understanding market needs and forecasting helps prioritize features effectively. Thanks for sharing your approach!

Arindam Vaidya · Answer

Well, I think competitive analysis due to the fact that every solution has a competitor, so a) do an extnsive GAP analysis b) Know the difference and c) Once you know it's good to have a fair understanding how much of a burning need it is in the space and what would be the estimated revenue and expense forecast.

Answer

Prioritizing features for a SaaS product roadmap is indeed a challenging task. As a product expert, I understand the importance of balancing short-term wins with long-term strategic goals. My approach involves gathering user feedback, which is a goldmine for understanding the features that matter most to our customers. I also keep a close eye on the competition, looking for gaps and opportunities to differentiate our product. Internal vision plays a role too, ensuring we build features that align with our company's mission and vision. To help with this process, I use tools like the Kano Model to understand feature importance and satisfaction, and I leverage agile methodologies to iterate quickly based on user feedback.

Atlas Reed Kingsley · Answer

We use a combo of user feedback, analytics, and gut feel. First we identify the biggest pain points and opportunities from user input. Then we look at engagement metrics to see where folks are getting stuck. Finally, we debate as a team to prioritize what will have the biggest impact short-term vs. laying the foundation for our longer-term vision. Always a balancing act! Curious what methods others are using?

How do you prioritize features when building a product roadmap for your SaaS?

Replies