Product Management Toolkit
Feature prioritization, PRDs, and product discovery frameworks.
When to Use
- Prioritizing feature backlog
- Writing product requirements
- Analyzing customer interviews
- Planning sprints and roadmaps
- Making data-driven product decisions
RICE Prioritization
Formula
Score = (Reach × Impact × Confidence) / Effort| Factor | Scale |
|---|---|
| Reach | Users per quarter |
| Impact | Massive=3, High=2, Medium=1, Low=0.5, Minimal=0.25 |
| Confidence | High=100%, Medium=80%, Low=50% |
| Effort | Person-months |
Example
| Feature | Reach | Impact | Confidence | Effort | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| User Dashboard | 500 | 3 (massive) | 80% | 5 | 240 |
| Dark Mode | 300 | 1 (medium) | 100% | 2 | 150 |
| API Rate Limiting | 1000 | 2 (high) | 90% | 3 | 600 |
Value vs Effort Matrix
Low Effort High Effort
High QUICK WINS BIG BETS
Value [Prioritize] [Strategic]
Low FILL-INS TIME SINKS
Value [Maybe] [Avoid]PRD Template
# Feature: [Name]
## Problem Statement
What problem are we solving? For whom?
## Success Metrics
- Primary: [Metric and target]
- Secondary: [Supporting metrics]
## User Stories
As a [user], I want [capability] so that [benefit].
## Requirements
### Must Have (P0)
- [Requirement 1]
### Should Have (P1)
- [Requirement 2]
### Out of Scope
- [Explicit exclusion]
## Design
[Link to designs or wireframes]
## Technical Approach
[High-level technical approach]
## Timeline
- Phase 1: [Scope] - [Date]
- Phase 2: [Scope] - [Date]
## Open Questions
- [Question 1]Customer Interview Framework
Structure (35 min)
- Context (5 min)
- Role and responsibilities - Current workflow - Tools used
- Problem Exploration (15 min)
- Pain points - Frequency and impact - Current workarounds
- Solution Validation (10 min)
- Reaction to concepts - Value perception - Willingness to pay
- Wrap-up (5 min)
- Other thoughts - Referrals
Analysis Framework
Extract from each interview:
- Pain points with severity (high/medium/low)
- Feature requests with priority
- Jobs to be done patterns
- Key quotes for stakeholder communication
Sprint Planning
Capacity Planning
Sprint Capacity = Team Size × Days × Velocity Factor
Example:
5 engineers × 10 days × 0.7 = 35 story pointsStory Point Guidelines
| Points | Complexity | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trivial | Copy change |
| 2 | Simple | Add field to form |
| 3 | Medium | New API endpoint |
| 5 | Complex | New feature with UI |
| 8 | Very Complex | Integration with external service |
| 13 | Epic-level | Break down further |
MoSCoW Method
- Must Have: Critical for launch
- Should Have: Important but not critical
- Could Have: Nice to have
- Won't Have: Out of scope (this release)
Metrics Framework
North Star Metric
- What's the #1 value to users?
- Is it measurable and actionable?
- Does it predict business success?
Feature Success Metrics
- Adoption: % users using feature
- Frequency: Usage per user per week
- Retention: Continued usage over time
- Satisfaction: NPS/CSAT for feature
Best Practices
Writing PRDs
- Start with problem, not solution
- Include clear success metrics
- Explicitly state what's out of scope
- Use visuals (wireframes, flows)
Prioritization
- Mix quick wins with strategic bets
- Account for dependencies
- Buffer for unexpected work (20%)
- Revisit quarterly
Discovery
- Ask "why" 5 times
- Focus on past behavior, not intentions
- Look for emotional reactions
- Validate with data