One of the core responsibilites of PMs is understanding what exactly must be built, and more importantly, what should not be built. Usually there are a number of diffrent options or ideas for potential solutions, and the PM must take into account a number of different factors to select the best option. All products and features start with research and planning. Different products or feature ideas can come from an array of sources, including customer requests, competitive analysis, new technology, research on users, or general big picture ideas.

The most important thing you have to remember as a Product Manager is that you create solutions to the problems faced by your users.

Users Users Users

Feedback from users is the best way to identify issues with your platform. Constant communication with your users (or clients!) will ensure that you have a great understanding of what exactly needs to be built. Even if you are starting something from scratch, putting yourself in the position of a user is vital to building a successful product. There are a number of ways to conduct user research

1. Fixed group discussions / 1 on 1 meetings - meet with users or client
2. Be a user yourself - use the product yourself to find the painpoints

Three Factors To Consider

Product ideas must be valuable, usable, and feasible.

• valuable in the sense that they have to solve a need someone has
• usable because people must be able to learn how to use them without giving up, and use them on an ongoing basis without growing frustrated
• feasible since new features can’t require too many resources (time, money, effort, physical materials) or the company behind the product will go bankrupt (or get beaten in the market by savvier competitors)