{"id":16408,"date":"2019-05-07T13:45:34","date_gmt":"2019-05-07T13:45:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/productcollective.com\/?p=16408"},"modified":"2019-06-17T03:30:26","modified_gmt":"2019-06-17T03:30:26","slug":"end-squeaky-wheel-syndrome-by-changing-the-way-you-prioritize","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/productcollective.com\/end-squeaky-wheel-syndrome-by-changing-the-way-you-prioritize\/","title":{"rendered":"End Squeaky Wheel Syndrome by Changing the Way You Prioritize"},"content":{"rendered":"

The following insights were gleaned from a presentation at INDUSTRY given by Jenny Wanger at Spothero @JennyDove.<\/a> D<\/strong>ownload Product Management TACTICS eBook<\/a> for more.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Whether they realize it or not, many product people decide what to build next using the \u201csqueaky wheel\u201d prioritization method, where the person screaming the loudest gets their way. But instead, it\u2019s best to focus on basic principles of prioritization: customer needs, business outcomes, and available resources.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re all bound by the space-time continuum. We only have 24 hours in a day, and we simply can\u2019t be in two places at once (at least not in the year 2018).  As such, we can only work on one thing at a time.  So, how do we determine what thing we are to work on?  Unfortunately, often times, work is determined when people come to us.  We hear a customer or colleague\u2019s problem as, \u201cWhy aren\u2019t you fixing my problem?\u201d  With empathy, we help and sometimes move their problem to the top of our priority list.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the thing:  We may have this magic ability to help our customers, partners, and co-workers solve their problems, but we can\u2019t solve them all at once. This is why prioritization matters.<\/p>\n

The scenario above may seem like there\u2019s no real system being used, but it does fall into one prioritization system.  Albeit, a reactive one.  It\u2019s the \u201cSqueaky Wheel\u201d system.  But as it\u2019s been said, \u201cIf you take what the world throws at you, that puts you up on your heels.\u201d<\/p>\n

The best prioritization systems, however, are proactive\u2026 not reactive.  A proactive system allows you to be aggressive toward your goals and make deliberate choices. Ultimately, you\u2019ll end up with better outcomes when the decisions you make are intentional and done to further your goals.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the type of proactive prioritization system you choose doesn\u2019t matter. Or rather, the right one for one company might not be the right one for another company.  But buy-in matters. All different types of stakeholders should have a voice in finding the right prioritization system. Even if they\u2019re not ultimately leading the effort or are responsible for decisions being made, being a part of the process can help you make sure that once a system is established, it actually gets used.<\/p>\n

Oftentimes, proactive prioritization systems are chosen based on internal factors at play:<\/p>\n

Key resources:  Funding, Hiring, and other internal needs<\/p>\n

Strategic alignment:  There\u2019s an overall, overarching goal that each team rallies around<\/p>\n

Regardless, so long as you know your goals, can present all of your possible prioritization strategies, customize the right one for your business as a team, and begin prioritizing together\u2026 you\u2019ll be way ahead of when the \u201csqueaky wheel\u201d determines your roadmap.<\/p>\n

To view Jenny\u2019s full presentation, visit: https:\/\/productcollective.com\/end-squeaky-wheel-syndrome-changing-prioritize\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The following insights were gleaned from a presentation at INDUSTRY given by Jenny Wanger at Spothero @JennyDove. Download Product Management TACTICS eBook for more. Whether they realize it or not, many product people decide what to build next using the \u201csqueaky wheel\u201d prioritization method, where the person screaming the loudest gets their way. But instead, it\u2019s best to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":16468,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nEnd Squeaky Wheel Syndrome by Changing the Way You Prioritize - Product Collective | Organizers of INDUSTRY: The Product Conference<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/productcollective.com\/end-squeaky-wheel-syndrome-by-changing-the-way-you-prioritize\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"End Squeaky Wheel Syndrome by Changing the Way You Prioritize - Product Collective | Organizers of INDUSTRY: The Product Conference\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The following insights were gleaned from a presentation at INDUSTRY given by Jenny Wanger at Spothero @JennyDove. Download Product Management TACTICS eBook for more. 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