First, the challenge is figuring out what are the business drivers motivating your executives (increase revenue, increase efficiencies, etc). Then you need to map the metrics to those drivers. Some examples of metrics for market sensing include customer satisfaction, retention rates, # of win/loss analysis, # of call reports, # of internal / external ideas, etc.). Methods to execute market sensing include win loss analysis, enhancement capture and market analysis (customer visits). Generally, the next step in the process is selecting market inputs and then problem definition.

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Interesting points of view :-). I am not sure the makers of this device have to justify the lack of tens of other features y'all laid out. i think they have to justify the value commensurate to the cost they are charging ($$, time, adoption, etc). I do think the challenge is how they position this in the mind of their buyer. Is it a new solution to a potentially unsolved problem today or is it an alternative to the burgeoning smart phone market which has the "if we build it they will come" motto?
Again, I have no idea how much research went into this and where this will ultimately go but I am interested in watching this as a potential experiment :-)

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First off, props to you!
Your blog is well thought out. I find it so easy to follow your links. The info you post is also quite thought provoking. Keep up the good work! I wish I'd found it sooner. When I started looking into blogs and product management I ran a google search. Then, bounced around from links on the blogs found.

In reference to your Article:
When dealing with feature request floods, I've found it's good to have a strong team built of dreamers, users, and the task master. That basically describes my current group.

* The dreamer can see well beyond current platform and envision the heights the product could reach.

* The users give you the nitty gritty - "this 'crap' doesn't work well now so make it work!"

* And finally the task master gives everyone a good dose of reality - "we only have so much time and money and those 'nice to haves" just aren't going to make it. Give it some thought, we/users CAN live without those features and still have a great product that meets the overall needs."

Once we get beyond the discussion phase, we default to our handy-dandy Six Sigma tools like a QFD and Pairwise Comparisons. If you're not familiar, these tools are best used when all team members (users, management, designers, etc) are involved. If don't get everyone involved, the efforts and work done with them may be futile. This I know from experience. They are quite time consuming, but also are hugely rewarding and rather helpful in removing the "emotion" from the decision on what is most important. Heck, I've even used them to pick out my gym or a car (as if that isn't an impulse buy...).

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I'm with ya Amar. If I didn't really enjoy what I'm doing now, Etsy would be an amazing place to work. It's really exciting to see companies like this emerge. The world needs more of this and it's up to people like us to bring the rest of the industry/corporate along.

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