How Do I Prioritize Features? Part 2 of 2
In part one of this series, we discussed customer-centered data points that can help form product strategy. We explored how understanding your users' needs, pain points, and goals should be the foundation of any prioritization framework. But customer needs alone don't tell the whole story.
The next step is to mix in constraints. Real-world product development happens within boundaries, and acknowledging these constraints helps you make more realistic and achievable decisions.
Technical constraints
Technical constraints include your current technology stack, infrastructure limitations, and the complexity of implementing certain features. Some features might sound great from a customer perspective but could require significant architectural changes or introduce technical debt.
When evaluating features through a technical lens, consider: How long will this take to build? What dependencies does it create? Will it require new infrastructure or third-party services? Does it align with your current tech stack, or will it require new expertise?
Constraints keep us from hurting ourselves... most of the time. (via Giphy)
Business constraints
Business constraints encompass your budget, timeline, market position, and strategic goals. A feature might be highly requested by customers, but if it doesn't align with your business model or revenue goals, it might not be the right priority.
Consider questions like: Does this feature support our business model? Will it help us acquire or retain customers? Does it differentiate us from competitors? Is this the right time in our company's lifecycle to build this?
Don't let your important features get blocked. (via Giphy)
Resource constraints
Resource constraints involve your team size, skill sets, and capacity. You might have brilliant ideas, but if you don't have the right people or enough bandwidth, those ideas will remain just that—ideas.
Be honest about: Do we have the right skills on the team? How much capacity do we actually have? What other priorities are competing for attention? Can we realistically deliver this within our timeline?
Taking on tons of features can be a battle. (via Giphy)
Balancing the equation
The art of prioritization comes from balancing customer needs with these three types of constraints. A feature that scores high on customer value but low on feasibility might need to wait. Conversely, a feature that's easy to build but doesn't serve customers well probably shouldn't be prioritized.
Create a framework that weighs all these factors. Some teams use scoring systems, others use matrices, and some rely on structured discussions. The method matters less than ensuring you're considering the full picture before making decisions.
Remember, constraints aren't necessarily bad—they force you to be creative and focused. The best products often emerge from working within limitations, not from unlimited resources.
