How do you decide what features to include in a new product? The simple answer is to reduce to only the essentials. That’s a lot of what I write about here, so there are many methods, such as the 60 second deadline.
Portland-based site Shizzow has a set of rules that it uses to determine whether a new feature will be added. I had a chance to sit down for a Webmonkey Q&A with one of the founders, who shared the list with me.
- Simplicity
- Community
- Trust
If a new feature does not match all of those criteria, it doesn’t get added. This has helped a small team, all with other fulltime jobs, create a cool site with a feature-set that’s “just enough.”
Yes, I’m delighted that simplicity is one of their core requirements, but the balance of the list is what really makes it work. Rather than adding something to Shizzow just because it’s cool, the team needs to apply the feature to their ground rules.
A simple list like Shizzow’s can help you make good choices, avoid feature creep, and create a better, simpler product.
[Photo by Duncan Cumming]
What can we say? We like to keep things simple 🙂
But doesn’t there need to be a rule about when to break the rules? CEOs (research says) operate on from a small set of rules, which keeps them from getting distracted. Of course, you might be distracted from the fact that things have changed, and you’re about to auger into the ground (e.g. GM).
could you link the photo to a larger version? its a fascinating sign. i like the three rules in this post. simplicity FTW
I’ve linked the photo now. You can find it on Flickr here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/duncan/2806471496/
I’m intrigued by your new Webmonkey. And curious: How is Webmonkey going to create a sense of community today? What is the payoff for going onto the Webmonkey site and creating or editing articles? The payoff for Webmonkey is obvious: free content… but what about the user?
Erika (from wordcampdx)
Sorry you meant founders of Shizzow not founders of Webmonkey… didn’t pick up on that. 🙂
Still wondering, though. 🙂
Erika: While I’m a contributor to Webmonkey, I’m not responsible for the site and can’t speak for them, but… I think the questions you raise go beyond Webmonkey, to every Wiki, where the content comes from a dedicated group of community editors.