Effective Product Management Prioritisation Techniques for Busy Leaders

As a leader, your to-do list can often feel endless. Between managing teams, driving strategy, and delivering results, deciding what to focus on can be overwhelming. The key to cutting through the noise is effective prioritisation. By focusing on the right initiatives at the right time, you can achieve meaningful progress without burning out your resources or your team.

One of the most powerful frameworks for prioritisation is the Value, Viability, Feasibility, and Usability (VVFU) model. In this article, we’ll explore how VVFU can guide your decisions, alongside a quick overview of other popular prioritisation techniques that you can apply in your leadership journey.

The VVFU Framework

The VVFU framework is a holistic approach to prioritisation, ensuring that all critical aspects of a project or initiative are considered. Here’s how it works:

1. Value

Definition: How much value does this initiative bring to your customers, stakeholders, or the organisation?

Key Questions to Ask:

• Does this solve a critical customer pain point?
• Will it significantly improve our revenue, efficiency, or competitive edge?
• Is this aligned with our strategic goals?

2. Viability

Definition: Is the initiative sustainable and profitable in the long term?

Key Questions to Ask:

• Does it fit within our budget and resource constraints?
• Will it generate a positive ROI?
• Can we maintain or scale it effectively?

3. Feasibility

Definition: Can this initiative be realistically achieved with our current resources and capabilities?

Key Questions to Ask:

• Do we have the technical expertise and tools required?
• Can we deliver this within the desired timeframe?
• Are there significant risks that could derail this initiative?

4. Usability

Definition: How easy and intuitive will this be for the end user?

Key Questions to Ask:

• Will the user experience be seamless and engaging?
• Have we incorporated user feedback into the design?
• Does it reduce friction or simplify existing processes for the user?

By evaluating initiatives against these four dimensions, leaders can ensure they’re focusing on projects that are not only impactful but also realistic and user-centric.

Other Popular Prioritisation Frameworks

1. RICE (Reach, Impact, Confidence, Effort)

RICE is a scoring model often used in product management to evaluate and rank ideas. By assessing how many users a project will reach, the level of impact it will have, your confidence in its success, and the effort required to execute, RICE helps teams focus on high-impact, low-effort initiatives.

2. MoSCoW (Must-Have, Should-Have, Could-Have, Won’t-Have)

This simple framework is great for categorising tasks or features based on urgency and importance. It’s particularly effective in Agile environments to prioritise product backlogs or project deliverables.

3. Eisenhower Matrix (Urgent vs. Important)

This classic time-management tool helps leaders prioritise tasks based on their urgency and importance. It’s ideal for managing personal workloads and focusing on high-value activities.

How to Implement VVFU for Prioritisation

1. Create a Scoring System: Assign a score (e.g., 1-10) for each dimension (Value, Viability, Feasibility, Usability) to compare initiatives objectively.
2. Involve Your Team: Gather input from cross-functional stakeholders to ensure all perspectives are considered.
3. Visualise the Results: Use tools like prioritisation grids or weighted scoring charts to see which initiatives rise to the top.
4. Test and Iterate: Regularly review your prioritisation decisions as new information becomes available or business priorities shift.

A Practical Example

Imagine you’re leading a digital transformation initiative and need to decide between two potential projects:

• Project A: A customer-facing app to improve user engagement.
• Project B: An internal tool to streamline operational efficiency.

Using the VVFU framework, you might evaluate:

Project A scores higher due to its user-centric focus and potential to drive significant customer value, making it the priority.

A Final Thought

Effective prioritisation isn’t about doing everything; it’s about doing the right things. By using the VVFU framework, leaders can make informed, balanced decisions that align with organisational goals, delight users, and optimise resources.

While frameworks like RICE, MoSCoW, and the Eisenhower Matrix offer alternative methods, VVFU’s holistic approach makes it particularly valuable for leaders juggling complex decisions. Start small, test it out with your team, and watch your decision-making become more focused and impactful.

Let’s Work Together

As a product management consultant, I specialise in helping leaders and teams navigate complex prioritisation challenges using proven frameworks like VVFU. If you’re looking to optimise your decision-making processes, let’s connect and explore how I can help your organisation thrive.