How can you handle stakeholder requests for new product features in product management?

Product teams are wrongfully under the impression that stakeholder requests for new product features is by definition bad. But it's not! Their ideas are just as good (or bad) as our own. Also must consider that in many companies that actually use their own products, stakeholders can be actual users too. Stakeholder input should be gathered and handled alongside input from customers and users. The key is to systematically validate day-to-day product decisions and big-picture ideas (regardless of their source) with customer insights gathered via robust product discovery.

The first step is to fully understand the request. This involves active listening and asking clarifying questions to ensure you comprehend the stakeholder’s needs and expectations. It’s crucial to understand the ‘why’ behind the request - what problem are they trying to solve, or what value do they believe this feature will bring to the product?

In my experience, if such a scenario comes up, firstly it’s critical to understand that impact that the feature would have. During a recent product development, we came across a scenario where we had to make a decision based on a suggestion that came from a group of stakeholders. We understood that the feature could impact a large section of partially associated customers but chose to add it after the initial product is in the market, which would give us an understanding: - Firstly, Is the product being adopted properly. - Secondly out of the people visiting the product page, how many of them are those customers who would want the feature.

1. Gather Requirements: Collect stakeholder requests for new features. 2. Prioritize: Evaluate requests based on strategic alignment and feasibility. 3. Align: Ensure new features align with the product vision and roadmap. 4. Resource Evaluation: Assess resources needed for implementation. 5. Communicate: Transparently communicate decisions and timelines to stakeholders. 6. Manage Expectations: Set realistic expectations and provide regular updates. 7. Iterative Feedback: Encourage ongoing feedback and collaboration. 8. Track Impact: Monitor feature impact and iterate based on data and feedback.

I think diving into the use case with the stakeholder and understanding how this reaches broader objectives and goals of your business should be your first step. Understand where they're coming from and try to weed out if it's an edge case or if it's something that is causing a lot of customers to turn away.

Once you understand the request, it’s time to evaluate it. This involves assessing the request’s alignment with the product’s vision and strategy, its potential impact on the user experience, and its feasibility in terms of resources and timelines. Tools like cost-benefit analysis, prioritization matrices, or user story mapping can be helpful in this stage.

Assess the feasibility and impact of implementing the requested feature. Consider factors such as technical complexity, resource availability, alignment with the product roadmap, and potential impact on existing features. Evaluate the potential benefits and drawbacks, including how the new feature fits into the overall product strategy and whether it aligns with the target audience's needs.

Remember, the request should address a user pain point, and not be a solution looking for a problem. When stakeholders propose new features, align these with your product's vision and user needs. It's tempting to say yes to everything, but strategic evaluation is key. Ask: Does it serve a real user need? How does it fit within our roadmap? Will it genuinely enhance the product experience? Prioritizing requests means sometimes saying no, or not now. Transparent communication about your decision-making process builds trust and understanding. Ultimately, every feature should contribute to the product's value proposition, ensuring we're always solving the right problems for our users.

Once comprehending the request, assess it against your product strategy, roadmap, and user input. Utilize frameworks like RICE, MoSCoW, or Kano to prioritize and benchmark the request against other features or endeavors. Factor in technical feasibility, resource availability, and opportunity cost. Through objective and quantitative evaluation, gauge the request's value and feasibility for your product.

I think this is one of the most important steps in this whole process. I remember a time at a company, where we used to get almost 4-5 new feature requests everyday. Now, imagine in a week there are 30 new requests, and your team is limited on engineering. There are couple of ways to resolve this. 1. Find patterns across the requests and make a feature that resolved multiple requests at same time 2. Pick those requests that attach with the overall mission of the company and the product 3. If a very large customer (in b2b setting), asks for a requests, evaluate that even more carefully. You can't let that customer go away and or be unhappy at any point. 4. Get everyone together. Never do this process alone in a closed box.

It is 80% of communication- 20% others task in PM that matters - According some pioneer PMs in industry. So, communication MUST be clear What is requested? What is the priority? Reasoning with PROS and CONS. How and when it can be taken into consideration? Most Important: The possible impact and direction changes in roadmap.

Articulate decisions transparently, providing stakeholders with clear and concise explanations of the rationale behind the chosen course of action, fostering understanding and managing expectations effectively.

Iteration on product feedback is critical to the creation of innovative, successful and usable devices. Ions where multiple stakeholders may have differing opinions on the direction of the product or on the direction of a core feature, it is up to the product manager to best manage the output that is created, how iteration will be managed, and how decisions on the final design outputs were communicated to the stakeholders. Specifically, it is important to understand the "why" of your product and the "who" of your product and reflect on whether the stakeholders from whom feedback is solicited represent the customer. If so, prioritizing features based on key metrics for success (sales, share %, etc.) and quickly iterating is key.

After evaluating the request, communicate your decision transparently and respectfully. Begin by acknowledging the stakeholder's input and expressing gratitude. Then, explain your decision-making process, criteria, and data considered. If accepting, outline implementation plans and potential trade-offs. For rejections, provide clear rationales and alternative solutions. In deferrals, specify revisitation timelines and conditions. Encourage feedback and address concerns to foster trust and value in communication.

Clearly communicate the decision regarding the requested feature to the stakeholders. Whether it's approval, rejection, or deferral, provide a detailed explanation of the rationale behind the decision. If the request is declined, offer alternative solutions or explain how the decision aligns with broader product goals and priorities.

Stakeholders may have feedback or concerns about your decision. It’s important to manage this feedback effectively. Listen to their concerns, provide clarification if needed, and be open to revisiting your decision if new information comes to light.

Be prepared for stakeholder feedback, which may come in various forms. Actively listen to their perspectives and address any concerns or questions. Maintain open communication channels to foster a collaborative environment. If stakeholders provide valuable insights or new information, be willing to reconsider the decision if it aligns with the overall product strategy.

Your stakeholder's feedback is invaluable, regardless of the decision. Encourage them to share their thoughts on the decision-making process and the outcome. This can be done through follow-up meetings or feedback sessions. Managing feedback positively, even when it's negative, helps in building trust and ensuring stakeholders feel heard and valued.

-Encoraje as partes interessadas a fornecer feedback contínuo sobre os novos recursos implementados, para garantir que suas expectativas sejam atendidas e que eventuais ajustes possam ser feitos. -Esteja aberto a melhorias e ajustes com base no feedback recebido, garantindo que os novos recursos cumpram suas expectativas.

The process of managing stakeholder feedback is a critical aspect of product management. It not only helps to maintain a healthy relationship with stakeholders but also ensures the product is aligned with their expectations. However, it's important to strike a balance between incorporating stakeholder feedback and maintaining the product's vision and roadmap. Over-reliance on stakeholder feedback might lead to a disjointed product that tries to cater to everyone but fails to deliver a cohesive user experience. Therefore, feedback should be evaluated critically and incorporated strategically.

Every request, whether implemented or not, offers a learning opportunity. Reflect on the process to identify what worked well and areas for improvement. This could involve refining how requests are collected, improving their evaluation criteria or enhancing communication strategies. Continuous learning and improvement help in streamlining the process of future requests making it more efficient and aligned with your ultimate goal of delivering exceptional user experience.

Use every stakeholder request as a learning opportunity. Reflect on what went well and what could be improved in your process of handling the request. This could lead to improvements in your product management practices.

The section emphasizes the importance of reflection and continuous learning in product management, which is crucial. However, it's also important to note that handling stakeholder requests for new product features is not just about managing conflicts or disagreements. It involves a deep understanding of the product's vision, the market, and the users' needs. Furthermore, the success of a feature request should not only be measured by stakeholder satisfaction but also by its impact on the product's overall performance and user experience.

After the decision has been communicated, reflect on the entire process. Identify any areas for improvement in the way requests are evaluated and decisions are made. Use feedback and outcomes to continuously refine the product management process. Consider implementing changes that enhance collaboration, streamline communication, and improve the overall decision-making framework.

Continual learning and improvement are fundamental to effective product management. Reflecting on stakeholder interactions allows for insights into conflict resolution, stakeholder balancing, and communication strategies. Evaluating success metrics and soliciting feedback promotes iterative growth. Identifying strengths and areas for improvement enhances skills, fostering the delivery of superior products and value to stakeholders and users. In essence, a commitment to learning from experiences is pivotal for a dynamic and evolving product management skill set.

When dealing with new feature requests, focus on gathering feedback from stakeholders rather than ticking off a list of demands. In general, they may not be good at articulating problems. Dive deep into what they really need by exploring their 'jobs to be done' and motivations. This isn't a one-off chat but an ongoing conversation. Use '5 Whys' to really understand their issues and how they cope without a solution today. Treat all stakeholders as if they're customers, especially internal ones, to ensure nothing gets lost in translation. Remember, keeping stakeholders in the loop, following up regularly, and showing that their input matters can build trust and loyalty towards your product whether or not you implement their suggestions.

Building strong, trust-based relationships with your stakeholders can make the process of handling feature requests much smoother. Regular communication, empathy, and a willingness to see things from their perspective can go a long way in managing stakeholder requests effectively.

Product is a journey. You have your highs and your lows, you are a family at the end of the day and each member has a role. However, there needs to be clear communication with respect to expectations and what can be done. Have a transparent culture, do not make false promises and always be truthful about even the worst of situations. This would foster a culture that would go a long way for you.

Establish clear criteria for prioritization, foster collaboration through open communication channels, and leverage appropriate tools and resources effectively to streamline processes and enhance overall efficiency and productivity.

Nothing is more powerful than what is selling, and what customers are paying for. User adoption and revenue growth settles disputes. Connect the request with undeniable impact on growth and adoption. Provide backup data. If you still get a no, you will be informed why and have built confidence and trust with your peers.