Hi Product people,

How do you balance the need for large, high-impact features with the flexibility of smaller, incremental updates?

This week on Product Thinking, I explored this common dilemma with you all, diving into the pros and cons of each approach. We discussed how to determine the best path forward based on user value, stakeholder needs, and risk management.

"If we can achieve the goal and achieve value for the user through smaller, discrete features that launch value faster, that's good. But you're gonna want to think about when does that break? Does it actually deliver the full value for the user?"

We also delved into strategies for de-risking large projects by testing and releasing in smaller phases, ensuring that both customers and stakeholders are aligned and informed throughout the process.

Are you facing a similar challenge in your product strategy? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Reply to this email or join the conversation on LinkedIn!

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: Apple | Spotify

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Until next time,

Melissa Perri

Founder Product Institute, Board Member, and Teacher

You’ll hear us talk about:

02:29 - The Value of Incremental Releases

Melissa discusses the benefits of releasing smaller features incrementally, highlighting how they can provide immediate user value and inform future development decisions through feedback.

04:13 - Managing Risk in Long-Term Projects

Here, Melissa emphasizes the importance of de-risking multi-month projects with phased releases and feature flags, ensuring that stakeholders and users are aligned and informed throughout the process.

05:01 - Balancing Stakeholder and User Needs

Melissa explores the tension between meeting stakeholder goals and delivering user value, offering strategies for product managers to align these often competing priorities effectively.

Other Resources:

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