Digital and Social Media Tools
Feature Request Boards
Feature request boards are online platforms where users can suggest new features, vote on existing suggestions, and discuss ideas with other users and the product team. This interactive method helps prioritize development efforts based on direct user input and fosters a community around the product.
Pros:
User Engagement: Directly involves users in the development process, increasing loyalty and satisfaction.
Prioritization Tool: Helps prioritize what features are most wanted or needed by the user base.
Community Building: Encourages interaction among users, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.
Cons:
Expectation Management: May raise expectations for specific features to be developed, which can lead to disappointment if not pursued.
Resource Intensive: Requires ongoing moderation and management to keep the board productive and relevant.
Dominance by Vocal Minority: A small, vocal group of users might dominate the board, skewing priorities away from the broader user base’s needs.
IMPLEMENTATION
Choose a Platform: Select a tool or software like Trello, Aha!, or a custom forum on your website to host the feature request board.
Set Guidelines: Clearly define how users should submit and discuss ideas, and what criteria will guide the consideration of these suggestions.
Promote Participation: Encourage users to participate by actively promoting the board through email newsletters, the product itself, and social media.
Manage Submissions: Regularly review and categorize submissions, providing feedback on the status of popular requests.
Implement Feedback: Use user input from the board to guide the development of new features or improvements.
COST
Low, Mid-Range
Setting up and maintaining a feature request board can be relatively low-cost, especially with existing platform solutions. Costs will vary based on the chosen platform and the extent of customization.
FREE/LOW COST OPTION
Use Free Tools: Implement the board using free project management tools or forum software that can be adapted for this purpose.
In-House Management: Utilize internal staff to manage and moderate the board to avoid additional costs.
Community-Driven: Encourage the community to self-moderate to some extent, reducing the need for dedicated resources.
TIPS
Highlight Impact: Show how previous suggestions have been implemented to demonstrate that user input truly influences product development.
Regular Updates: Keep users informed about the status of their suggestions and the board’s overall impact.
Reward Contributions: Offer recognition or rewards for popular or particularly innovative feature suggestions.
Integration with Product: Embed access to the feature request board within the product interface for ease of access.
Community Engagement: Foster discussions and interactions on the board to keep the community active and engaged.
RECOMMENDED USAGE
Product Managers: Oversee the feature request process and integrate user feedback into the product roadmap.
Community Managers: Moderate the board, engage with users, and manage communications.
Developers: Assess the feasibility and implementation of popular feature requests.
Customer Support: Help manage user inquiries and provide support related to the feature request process.
AVAILABLE TOOLS