Mastering Roadmap Prioritization: Top 5 Fun and Effective Methods for Scoring and Prioritizing Features

Hey there, product leaders! ???♂????♀? Ready to level up your roadmap game? Prioritizing features can feel like juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle, but fear not! We're diving into five killer methods to score and prioritize your roadmap features. We'll explore what each method is all about, how complex they are, their pros and cons, and some tips to make your scoring sessions a breeze. Let’s make feature prioritization fun and effective! ??

1. MoSCoW Method

What It Is: A simple yet effective way to categorize features into four buckets: Must have, Should have, Could have, and Won’t have. Think of it as sorting your laundry – easy peasy!

Used by: Deloitte, Oracle

Complexity Level: Low

Pros:

• Simple and easy to understand
• Quick to implement
• Helps align stakeholders on priorities

Cons:

• Can be too simplistic for complex projects
• Doesn’t quantify the value of features

How to Conduct a Scoring Session:

• Prepare: List all features you want to consider.
• Session: Categorize each feature into Must have, Should have, Could have, or Won’t have.
• Example: For a new app release, “user authentication” might be a “Must have,” while “dark mode” could be a “Could have.”

Advice: Get all key stakeholders together to agree on the categories. It’s great for a quick start but may need refinement with more detailed methods.

2. RICE Scoring

What It Is: A method that uses Reach, Impact, Confidence, and Effort to score and prioritize features. It’s like a recipe for success!

Used by: Intercom, Dropbox

Complexity Level: Medium

Pros:

• Quantifies features based on multiple factors
• Provides a clear numerical score
• Balances impact and effort

Cons:

• Requires more data and time to implement
• Can be subjective if not carefully managed

How to Conduct a Scoring Session:

• Prepare: Gather data on Reach, Impact, Confidence, and Effort for each feature.
• Session: Calculate the RICE score using the formula: RICE Score = (Reach Impact Confidence) / Effort.
• Example: If a feature reaches 1,000 users, has a medium impact (3), with high confidence (80%), and requires 2 weeks of effort, its RICE score would be (1000 3 0.8) / 2 = 1200.

Advice: Have solid data to back up your estimates. Agree on what constitutes high, medium, and low for each factor to keep it consistent.

3. Value vs. Effort Matrix

What It Is: A visual tool to plot features on a 2x2 matrix based on their value and effort. Imagine playing tic-tac-toe with your features!

Used by: Atlassian, Trello

Complexity Level: Low to Medium

Pros:

• Visually intuitive
• Easy to understand and use
• Encourages discussions about value and effort

Cons:

• Can be subjective
• May oversimplify complex decisions

How to Conduct a Scoring Session:

• Prepare: List features and estimate their value and effort.
• Session: Plot each feature on a 2x2 matrix (high value/low effort, high value/high effort, low value/low effort, low value/high effort).
• Example: A feature with high user demand and low development time would go in the high value/low effort quadrant.

Advice: Involve a diverse team to get different perspectives on value and effort. Use post-it notes or a whiteboard for a fun and interactive session.

4. Weighted Scoring

What It Is: A customizable method where you score features based on multiple criteria, each weighted according to importance. It’s like grading on a curve!

Used by: Salesforce, IBM

Complexity Level: High

Pros:

• Customizable to your needs
• Provides a detailed and nuanced view
• Can accommodate multiple criteria

Cons:

• Requires significant effort to set up and maintain
• Needs thorough data collection and analysis

How to Conduct a Scoring Session:

• Prepare: Define criteria (e.g., customer value, revenue potential, strategic fit) and assign weights to each.
• Session: Score each feature against the criteria and multiply by the assigned weights. Sum the scores to get a total.
• Example: If customer value is weighted at 50%, revenue potential at 30%, and strategic fit at 20%, a feature scoring 8, 7, and 9 respectively would get a total score of (80.5) + (70.3) + (9*0.2) = 4 + 2.1 + 1.8 = 7.9.

Advice: Make sure your criteria and weights align with your strategic goals. Use historical data to improve accuracy and make the process more reliable.

5. Kano Model

What It Is: A method that categorizes features based on customer satisfaction into Basic, Performance, and Excitement. Think of it as the secret sauce for delighting customers!

Used by: Apple, Amazon

Complexity Level: Medium to High

Pros:

• Differentiates between basic, performance, and delight features
• Helps prioritize based on customer satisfaction
• Encourages innovation

Cons:

• Can be complex to implement
• Requires customer input and analysis

How to Conduct a Scoring Session:

• Prepare: Conduct surveys to understand customer needs and categorize features as Basic, Performance, or Excitement.
• Session: Use survey results to prioritize features based on their impact on customer satisfaction.
• Example: A feature that’s a basic need (e.g., security) should be prioritized to meet minimum customer expectations, while a delight feature (e.g., an innovative UI) can set your product apart.

Advice: Use customer feedback and data to drive your categorization. Combine with other methods for a comprehensive prioritization approach.

Choosing the Right Method

Selecting the right scoring method is like choosing the perfect outfit – it depends on the occasion! Here are a few things to consider:

• Complexity of Your Product: Simpler methods like MoSCoW are great for smaller projects, while weighted scoring might be better for complex products.
• Available Data: Methods like RICE and weighted scoring require more data. Ensure you have the necessary information to make accurate assessments.
• Team and Stakeholder Buy-in: Choose a method that your team and stakeholders understand and support. This ensures smoother sessions and better alignment.

Preparing for Scoring Sessions

Preparation is key for a smooth session:

1. Gather Data: Collect all relevant data and insights beforehand.
2. Set Clear Objectives: Define what you aim to achieve with the session.
3. Involve the Right People: Ensure a diverse group of stakeholders is involved to provide varied perspectives.
4. Facilitate Open Discussions: Encourage open and honest discussions to reach the best decisions.

Final Thoughts

Prioritizing roadmap features is an art and a science. By understanding and applying the right scoring methods, you can make informed decisions that drive your product's success. Remember, the goal is to deliver the most value to your customers while aligning with your strategic objectives. Happy prioritizing!

Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or need further advice on choosing and implementing these methods in your organization. ??

With this guide, you'll navigate the complexities of feature prioritization like a pro. Get ready to make impactful decisions that propel your product forward!