A game in which people use artificial money to express trade-off decisions
Use this template to simulate the conditions that exist when people have to budget their resources to get what they want.
'Buy a Feature' is a prioritization method commonly used in design thinking and product management to determine which potential features are valued the most by stakeholders.
Because you provide people with a limited amount of currency with which to buy items, participants must pick and choose which are most important, helping you quickly prioritize your list. The resulting decisions are valuable in assessing what features or concepts should be present in the final design.
To use the buy-a-feature template, follow the steps outlined below.
Clearly outline what the central focus of your discussion will be. Make sure it can be explained in a few words or one sentence.
The next step is to add a list of new features, ideas, or solutions that pertain to the main problem, and assign them (virtual) monetary value based on how difficult they would be to accomplish.
For example, this might be a list of product features from the backlog to be prioritized for upcoming product development.
Here’s where the game begins — by giving a fixed amount of resources to the key stakeholders, you can see which product features they would prioritize given the constraints.
Additionally, you can monitor the decision-making process, asking questions about why participants make certain choices. Those answers may be just as meaningful as their purchases.
As each set of stakeholders moves through the game, write down your takeaways using sticky notes so that you can organize your feedback into groups or themes. This will help make your results more actionable.
To get the most out of your buy-a-feature template workshop, try these tips:
'Buy a Feature' is a prioritization exercise commonly used in design thinking and product management. It provides a structured approach for gathering ideas and determining the value of each feature from different perspectives.
Instead of simply voting or ranking features, participants are given a limited budget and must decide how to allocate it to the features they find most valuable. By simulating a purchasing scenario, 'Buy a Feature' encourages participants to consider trade-offs and make choices based on their priorities.
To run a 'Buy a Feature' exercise, follow these steps:
Clearly define the objective of the exercise. Determine the specific features or ideas that need prioritization. Clarify the scope and any constraints, such as budget limitations or timeframes.
Invite project managers, product managers, engineering teams, and other relevant stakeholders to participate. It's crucial to have diverse perspectives to capture a comprehensive range of insights.
Start by explaining the 'Buy a Feature' exercise and its purpose. Provide an overview of the rules and guidelines to ensure everyone understands the process. Emphasize that participants will be allotted a limited budget to prioritize features.
Determine the budget for the exercise. This can be a hypothetical budget or based on real resource constraints. The budget represents the currency that participants will use to 'buy' features.
Create a list of features or ideas that require prioritization. Each feature should be described concisely, including relevant details or supporting materials. It's helpful to include visuals, such as screenshots or prototypes, to provide context.
Distribute the allocated budget to each participant. This can be done in the form of virtual currency (e.g., tokens or play money) or simply as a numerical value. Ensure that each participant receives the same budget amount.
Instruct participants to allocate their budget to the features they find most valuable. They can assign different amounts to different features based on their priorities. Participants should spend the entire budget or distribute it among the features until they are satisfied.
Encourage participants to discuss their feature allocations with each other. Allow them to express their reasoning, advocate for their preferred features, and share insights. This promotes collaboration and helps participants understand different perspectives.
Once participants have allocated their budgets, analyze the results. Identify the features that received the highest allocations, indicating their perceived value. Look for patterns or trends among the allocations and consider the impact of individual decisions.
Engage the group in a discussion about the results. Encourage participants to share their thoughts on the prioritization outcomes. Consider areas of agreement and disagreement. Use this discussion to inform decision-making and further refine the prioritization.
Document the outcomes of the exercise, including the feature allocations and any insights gained during discussions. Share the results with the team, stakeholders, or decision-makers. This information can help guide future planning, product roadmaps, or development efforts.
By following these steps, you can effectively run a 'Buy a Feature' exercise to collect and prioritize ideas based on different participants' perspectives. Remember to adapt the process to fit the specific needs and dynamics of your team or organization.
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