Building

The Feature You Should Not Build

Most roadmaps die of addition. The discipline that keeps a product sharp is the courage to leave things out.

Every product accumulates features the way a desk accumulates clutter: one reasonable decision at a time. Each addition seems harmless. The sum is a mess.

The feature you should not build is usually the one a single loud customer wants and nobody else will use. Saying yes feels generous and costs you focus.

Subtraction is the underrated half of product work.

A Test Before You Add

Ask whether the feature serves the core user or just silences a complaint. They are not the same.

Every yes is a no to something better.