Product feature prioritization is one of the toughest challenges for product managers. You have a long list of ideas, stakeholder requests, and customer feedback but limited resources. Choosing the wrong feature can waste time, delay launches, or even hurt revenue.
That’s why top SaaS companies rely on prioritization frameworks — structured methods that help teams decide what to build next based on data, impact, and strategy.
But with so many frameworks out there, how do you pick the right one?
From our experience working as a UI/UX design agency for SaaS, in this guide, we’ll break down the most effective prioritization frameworks and, more importantly, help you choose the best one for your product.
Feature prioritization: what and why
Before we dive into the specific prioritization strategies, let's discuss why we need to talk about it at all.
What is product feature prioritization?
Feature prioritization is the process of deciding which product features to build, improve, or discard based on their impact, feasibility, and alignment with business goals.
Every product team faces competing demands — customer requests, stakeholder expectations, and market trends. But resources are always limited. Prioritization ensures that teams focus on product management best practices to choose high-value features that drive business growth and user satisfaction.
Why it matters
- Prevents wasted resources.
Prioritization ensures that the most critical features are developed first, making the best use of available time, money, and talent. This approach prevents teams from spreading themselves too thin across too many initiatives, resulting in building features no one needs. (And if you already feel you need to speed up your processes, check out our list of 10 Product Management Tools to Automate Your Workflow.)
- Aligns teams.
In short, prioritizing product features ensures designers, developers, and stakeholders work toward the same goals — such as entering new markets, improving user engagement, or enhancing scalability. Teams can ensure that their work contributes directly to the company's success.
- Delivers impact faster.
By focusing on features that meet the most pressing needs of users, teams can deliver a product that truly resonates with its audience. This process helps teams launch meaningful updates instead of chasing random ideas.That’s why frameworks exist. Instead of making decisions based on gut feeling or loudest voices in the room, product teams can use structured, repeatable methods to prioritize features effectively. Let’s talk about the frameworks in more detail.
What is the prioritization framework?
A prioritization framework is a structured method that helps product teams decide which features to work on first. Instead of relying on gut feeling, these frameworks use criteria like impact, effort, and customer value to rank features objectively.
Think of it as a decision-making tool — it helps teams cut through the noise, align on priorities, and focus on the features that matter most.
There are many general product management frameworks for different needs. Some, like RICE, are data-driven and best for large teams. Others, like MSCW, help align stakeholders in Agile workflows. The key is choosing the right one for your product.
So, let’s explore the 26 most popular product prioritization methods to be able to decide which one to choose.
P.S. If you need more general inspiration, check out what makes a good product manager.
1. RICE Scoring
How it works
RICE is a data-driven prioritization framework that helps teams rank features based on four factors: Reach, Impact, Confidence, and Effort.
- Reach: How many users will the feature affect?
- Impact: How much will this feature impact the users?
- Confidence: How confident are you in your estimates for Reach and Impact?
- Effort: How much effort will it take to implement this feature?
The formula for RICE score is:
When to use
RICE is particularly useful when you need to prioritize features that can reach a broad audience and have a significant impact, but you also need to consider the level of effort required to implement them.
Companies using it
This model was introduced by Intercom. It allows Intercom to balance quick wins with long-term projects, ensuring a steady flow of valuable updates to their platform.
2. ICE Framework
How it works
The ICE framework is a simpler, faster alternative to RICE. It assesses features based on three factors: Impact, Confidence, and Ease.
- Impact: The potential benefit of the feature.
- Confidence: The certainty of the impact assessment.
- Ease: The simplicity of implementing the feature.
The ICE score is calculated as: ICE Score=Impact×Confidence×Ease
When to use
The ICE framework is ideal for quickly assessing and prioritizing features, especially when speed is critical, and you need a straightforward method to evaluate multiple features.
Companies using it
Dropbox uses ICE primarily in the early stages of product development to filter out less promising ideas quickly. It helps them focus on features that are not only impactful but also relatively easy to implement, allowing them to iterate quickly.
Eleken also successfully used this framework when collaborating with Advan. It allowed us to conduct the redesign in three months, from the audit to the final screens and UI kit.
3. MoSCoW Framework
How it works
The MSCW is a feature prioritization framework that stands for Must have, Should have, Could have, and Won’t have. It categorizes features into these four groups to prioritize them.
- Must have: Essential features without which the product cannot function.
- Should have: Important features that add significant value.
- Could have: Nice-to-have features that enhance the product but are not critical.
- Won’t have: Features that will not be included in the current cycle but might be considered for the future.
When to use
MSCW is best used during the initial planning stages of product development to ensure that the team focuses on critical features first.
Companies using it
Atlassian's use of MSCW is part of their agile project management approach. They often revisit the prioritization throughout the development process, adjusting the categories as more information becomes available or as market conditions change.
Eleken's team used the MoSCoW method to correctly define the minimum set of workable features for Prift, a personal finance platform.
4. Impact-Effort Matrix
How it works
The impact-effort matrix is a simple 2x2 grid that helps teams prioritize features based on their potential impact and the effort required to build them. This product feature matrix is divided into four quadrants:
- Quick Wins: High impact, low effort. These are features that should be prioritized as they offer significant value with minimal effort.
- Major Projects: High impact, high effort. These are features that could have a significant impact but require substantial resources.
- Fill-Ins: Low impact, low effort. These features can be considered when there is available bandwidth, as they don’t require much effort but also don’t deliver much value.
- Thankless Tasks: Low impact, high effort. These features should generally be avoided as they consume resources but offer little in return.
When to use
The Impact-Effort Matrix is ideal when you need a straightforward visual tool to quickly assess and prioritize features, especially in a collaborative setting with multiple stakeholders.
Companies using it
Trello uses the Impact-Effort Matrix to prioritize new features and improvements. Their product team regularly updates the matrix in response to user feedback and internal strategy shifts. They also use it in product planning meetings to align team members on priorities.
5. Kano Model
How it works
Kano model is a customer-centric framework that categorizes features based on how they affect user satisfaction. It divides features into five categories:
- Must-Have (Basic Needs): Essential features that users expect. Without them, the product is incomplete.
- Performance Needs: Features that increase customer satisfaction proportionally to how well they are executed.
- Delighters (Excitement Needs): Unexpected features that can significantly boost customer satisfaction.
- Indifferent: Features that neither increase nor decrease customer satisfaction.
- Reverse: Features that, if implemented, might decrease customer satisfaction.
When to use
Use the Kano Model when customer satisfaction is the primary focus, and you need to balance essential features with those that could provide a competitive edge.
Companies using it
Apple has been known to use the Kano Model, particularly in the development of its hardware products. Apple’s use of the Kano Model emphasizes the importance of “Delighters” – features that users didn’t expect but find incredibly satisfying. This has been a key factor in their product launches, where even small details can have a significant impact on user satisfaction.
You can find a free Kano model template designed by Eleken’s team in our Figma community.
6. Feasibility Desirability and Viability Scorecard
How it works
Feasibility Desirability and Viability Scorecard framework assesses features based on three criteria:
- Feasibility: Can the feature be implemented with the current technology and resources?
- Desirability: Do customers actually want or need this feature?
- Viability: Does the feature align with the business model and contribute to its financial success?
When to use
This scorecard is particularly useful when you need to ensure that a feature not only can be built but also will be wanted by customers and will contribute to business success.
Companies using it
Asana uses this framework during quarterly planning sessions. The weighted scores help the team balance long-term strategic goals with immediate customer needs, ensuring that both are reflected in the product roadmap.
7. Weighted Scoring Prioritization
How it works
Weighted Scoring involves assigning a score to each feature based on multiple criteria (e.g., impact, cost, alignment with strategic goals). Each criterion is given a weight based on its importance, and features are scored accordingly. The scores are then summed to create a weighted score that determines the feature’s priority.
When to use
This method is best when you have a large number of features and need a detailed, quantifiable way to prioritize them. It’s particularly useful when the decision-making process needs to be data-driven and objective.
8. Cost of Delay
How it works
Cost of Delay (CoD) is a prioritization method that calculates the financial impact of delaying the implementation of a feature. It combines the potential revenue loss or opportunity cost with the time factor to give a clear picture of how much it costs to postpone work on a feature.
When to use
Use the Cost of Delay framework when time-to-market is critical, and you need to understand the financial implications of delaying certain features.
Companies using it
Companies like Cisco and Nokia use the Cost of Delay in their SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) practices. In SAFe, Cost of Delay is combined with WSJF (Weighted Shortest Job First) to ensure that the most valuable work is done first. This method has been particularly effective in large-scale projects where delays can have significant financial repercussions.
9. Product Tree
How it works
The Product Tree framework is a visual, collaborative approach where the product roadmap is likened to a tree. Features are represented as leaves, branches, and roots:
- Roots: Core functionalities that form the foundation of the product.
- Branches: Major areas of growth and expansion.
- Leaves: Smaller features and enhancements.
When to use
This framework is ideal for brainstorming sessions and workshops where you need to engage multiple stakeholders in a creative and visual way to prioritize features.
10 .WSJF (Weighted Shortest Job First)
How it works
WSJF prioritizes features by dividing the cost of delay by the job size (effort required). The formula is:
WSJF=Cost of Delay/Job Size
Features with the highest WSJF score should be prioritized.
When to use
WSJF is particularly effective in Agile environments where you need to balance speed and value, ensuring that high-value features are delivered as quickly as possible.
Companies using it
Spotify uses WSJF to manage its agile development process, especially when deciding which features to release in their continuous deployment pipeline. At Spotify, WSJF is integrated into their agile ceremonies, particularly in sprint planning and backlog refinement sessions. It helps the team make data-driven decisions on what to build next, balancing business needs with technical considerations.
11. Opportunity Scoring
How it works
Opportunity scoring is a framework that ranks product features based on customer importance vs. current satisfaction. The goal is to prioritize improvements for features that are highly important but poorly rated.
When to use
This method is best used when you want to identify and prioritize features that can address significant gaps in the market or meet unmet customer needs.
12. Story Mapping
How it works
Story Mapping organizes features into a visual map that shows the journey a user takes through the product. It highlights essential activities (the backbone) and the associated tasks (stories) that need to be completed for each activity.
When to use
Use Story Mapping when you want to focus on user experience and ensure that features are prioritized based on the value they provide along the user journey.
Companies using it
Airbnb’s product teams use story mapping early in the development process to create a shared understanding of the user journey. This approach helps them maintain a user-centered focus throughout development, ensuring that new features improve the experience at critical touchpoints.
13. Eisenhower Matrix
How it works
The Eisenhower Matrix prioritizes tasks based on urgency and importance. It’s divided into four quadrants:
- Do First: Important and urgent tasks.
- Schedule: Important but not urgent tasks.
- Delegate: Urgent but not important tasks.
- Don’t Do: Neither urgent nor important tasks.
When to use
This matrix is useful when you need a simple and quick way to prioritize features based on their urgency and importance, often in a fast-paced environment.
14. Buy-a-Feature
How it works
Buy-a-feature is an interactive prioritization method where stakeholders are given a budget and must “purchase” features they believe are the most valuable. This gamified approach helps teams understand which features are truly prioritized by different stakeholders.
When to use
This framework is ideal for workshops and collaborative settings where you want to engage stakeholders in the prioritization process and get buy-in on feature development.
Companies using it
IDEO, a global design and innovation consultancy, uses Buy-a-Feature in their client workshops to engage stakeholders in the prioritization process. IDEO facilitates Buy-a-Feature sessions with cross-functional teams, allowing them to “purchase” features using a limited budget. This method helps to reveal which features are genuinely valued by different stakeholders, providing a clear prioritization for the development team.
15. Value vs. Complexity Quadrant
How it works
Value vs. Complexity Quadrant is a framework that evaluates features based on their value (benefit to the user or business) versus their complexity (difficulty to implement). The quadrant helps teams identify:
- Quick Wins: High value, low complexity.
- Strategic: High value, high complexity.
- Low-Hanging Fruit: Low value, low complexity.
- High-Risk: Low value, high complexity.
When to use
Use the Value vs. Complexity Quadrant when you need to balance feature value with development effort and want to focus on delivering the highest value with the least complexity.
16. Value vs. Risk Quadrant
How it works:
Value vs. Risk QuadrantValue vs. Risk Quadrant is a prioritization method where features are plotted on a quadrant based on their value (to the customer or business) and the associated risk (technical, market, etc.).
Quadrants typically include High Value/Low Risk (prioritize), High Value/High Risk (consider with caution), Low Value/Low Risk (fill-in work), and Low Value/High Risk (avoid).
When to use
This framework is ideal when managing a portfolio of features where risk is a significant consideration alongside value.
17. Feature Buckets
How it works
Feature Buckets categorize features into three main buckets:
- Metrics Movers: Features that will significantly impact key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Customer Requests: Features that are frequently requested by users.
- Delights: Features that will delight users but may not have a direct impact on metrics.
When to use
This method is useful when you want to ensure that your product development aligns with both business goals (metrics movers) and customer satisfaction (customer requests and delights).
18. Pareto Analysis
How it works
Pareto Analysis, based on the 80/20 rule, focuses on identifying the 20% of features that will deliver 80% of the value. By prioritizing these high-impact features, teams can maximize the value delivered with minimal effort.
When to use
Pareto Analysis is ideal when you need to focus on a few key features that will have the most significant impact on your product’s success.
19. Prune the Product Tree
How it works
Similar to the Product Tree framework, Prune the Product Tree approach involves regularly reviewing and “pruning” features that are no longer valuable or necessary, ensuring that the product remains focused and streamlined.
When to use
Use this framework when you need to manage product complexity and ensure that only the most valuable features are maintained and enhanced over time.
20. Heuristic Prioritization
How it works
Heuristic Prioritization involves using rules of thumb or experience-based techniques to prioritize features. This might include relying on expert judgment, historical data, or simple scoring systems based on past successes.
When to use
This method is useful in environments where there is a wealth of experience and historical data to draw from, allowing for quick and intuitive decision-making.
21. Simplicity Mapping
How it works
Simplicity Mapping focuses on identifying the simplest way to deliver a feature that meets the core requirements. It involves stripping down features to their essential components and prioritizing simplicity in both design and implementation.
When to use
Use Simplicity Mapping when you need to ensure that features are not over-engineered and that development resources are used efficiently. At Eleken, we also often use heuristics to conduct a UX audit.
22. Speedboat
How it works
Speedboat is a metaphorical exercise where the product is viewed as a speedboat, and features or obstacles are the anchors slowing it down. The goal is to identify and eliminate these anchors to improve product speed and efficiency.
When to use
This framework is ideal for identifying and addressing bottlenecks or features that are slowing down development or reducing product performance.
23. Objectives and Key Results (OKRs)
How it works
Objectives and Key Results framework involves setting specific, measurable objectives and associated key results to track progress. Features are prioritized based on their ability to help achieve these objectives.
When to use
Use OKRs when you want to ensure that feature development is tightly aligned with strategic business goals and that progress can be tracked against measurable outcomes.
Companies using it
Google popularized the use of OKRs to align teams with the company’s strategic goals. Features are prioritized based on how well they contribute to achieving specific, measurable objectives. Google reviews OKRs quarterly, adjusting feature priorities based on progress toward key results. This dynamic approach ensures that their product development remains aligned with their broader business goals, even as those goals evolve.
24. Opportunity Assessment Framework
How it works:
Opportunity Assessment Framework assesses features based on three main criteria: Desirability (customer demand), Feasibility (technical ability to deliver), and Viability (alignment with business goals).
Each feature is scored and ranked accordingly.
When to use
This is particularly useful when exploring new feature ideas or innovative concepts that need to be validated against customer demand and technical feasibility.
25. Ruthless Prioritization
How it works:
Ruthless Prioritization involves setting strict criteria for what gets prioritized, often focusing on a single metric (e.g., revenue impact) to drive all decisions.
Features that do not meet the criteria are delayed or discarded.
When to use
Best for startups or companies in highly competitive markets where focus and speed are essential, and resources are extremely limited.
26. The Fibonacci Sequence for Agile Prioritization
How it works:
Fibonacci sequence is a prioritization method used in Agile teams where feature effort is estimated using a sequence of numbers (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc.) instead of linear scoring. The idea is that larger tasks are harder to estimate precisely, so the gaps between numbers grow.
- Smaller features (1–3) → Easier, lower effort → Higher priority
- Larger features (8–13) → More complex, uncertain effort → Lower priority or split into smaller tasks
When to use
Useful in Agile environments where teams need to estimate and prioritize features with varying levels of complexity.
How to choose the right product prioritization framework
Not all prioritization frameworks work for every product or team. Choosing the right one depends on your goals, resources, and decision-making style. Here’s how to find the best fit:
1. Identify your goal
Start by asking: What’s your top priority?
- Speed? → Choose a lightweight framework like ICE score for quick decisions.
- Data-driven decision-making? → Go for RICE or Weighted Scoring.
- Stakeholder alignment? → Use MSCW or Kano Model for structured discussions.
2. Consider your resources
Do you have data to make decisions? If yes, go for a quantitative model like RICE. If not, opt for qualitative frameworks like Feature Buckets or Eisenhower Matrix that rely on discussions and intuition.
3. Think about your product stage
- Early-stage startups → Need speed and agility? Use ICE or Buy-a-Feature to iterate fast.
- Scaling SaaS products → Need structure? Use RICE, WSJF, or Kano Model.
- Mature products → Need long-term planning? Try Cost of Delay or Opportunity Scoring.
4. Match the framework to your decision-making style
- Numbers-focused teams? → Use RICE, ICE, or Weighted Scoring.
- Vision-driven teams? → Try Feature Buckets or Impact-Effort Matrix.
- Collaborative teams? → Use MSCW or Buy-a-Feature to involve stakeholders.
An important remark here is that no framework is perfect. Many teams combine them. For example, using ICE for quick decisions and RICE for long-term planning.
Feature prioritization in action: Answers to key questions
Prioritization is an ongoing challenge for product teams, and while we've covered key frameworks, some common questions remain. This section answers frequently asked questions about feature prioritization.
1. What is the process of product prioritization?
The product prioritization process typically follows these steps:
- Gather feature ideas – Collect inputs from customers, stakeholders, and teams.
- Define prioritization criteria – Choose metrics like impact, effort, or revenue potential.
- Select a prioritization framework – Use RICE, ICE, or MSCW, depending on your needs.
- Score and rank features – Apply the chosen framework to organize priorities.
- Align with stakeholders – Ensure key team members agree on the final priorities.
- Review and adjust regularly – Priorities change, so revisit decisions frequently.
2. How do you prioritize features on a product roadmap?
To prioritize features on a roadmap:
- Align with company goals – Focus on features that drive key objectives.
- Consider user impact – Use frameworks like Opportunity Scoring or Kano Model to assess customer value.
- Balance effort vs. reward – Use the Impact-Effort Matrix to pick high-value, low-effort tasks.
- Plan for short-term and long-term – Mix quick wins with strategic initiatives.
Many teams use RICE scoring to decide roadmap priorities based on data-driven rankings.
By the way, we’ve got a great video on how to build a product roadmap. Check it out.
3. How do you prioritize features during the product examination?
(Product examination = evaluating and refining an existing product)
- Analyze user feedback – Identify pain points and feature requests.
- Assess performance data – Look at engagement metrics, churn rates, and feature adoption.
- Use ICE for quick decisions – Rank features by Impact, Confidence, and Ease.
- Run a stakeholder workshop – Use the MSCW framework to align on must-have vs. nice-to-have updates.
4. What are the three best prioritization methods?
We at Eleken mostly use the following four prioritization methods:
- ICE Framework
- Feature Identification and Analysis
- RICE score
- Lean Hypothesis Prioritization Canvas
Feature prioritization isn't just about picking features — it’s about making strategic decisions that align with business goals, user needs, and available resources. The right prioritization technique can help teams stay focused and efficient, but the key is adapting prioritization methods as your product evolves.Need help with designing a product that meets user expectations and doesn’t have features no one needs? Eleken’s design team has helped countless SaaS companies streamline their product decisions — we can help you too. Contact us for a free consultation.
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