Wondering how you can update or iterate your product to better serve your users’ needs? It’s time to think about feature planning.

Feature planning kickstarts the feature development process, mapping key aspects like design, deadlines, and objectives. As you flesh out your product feature list, it’s wise to encourage—and incorporate—feedback.

Hang on a second—what is a product feature list, exactly? A product feature list is simply the document where you’ll compile everything you hash out in feature planning: your product’s feature specifications, project scope, and priorities. When you record this list on FigJam’s shared feature template, you can always check back in on the progress of your team’s most promising ideas.

Product features appear in every field and category. Some examples include:

- A self-cleaning function for a household appliance

- A lightweight fabric for a summer clothing line

- A gifting feature in a consumer app

- An AI-powered assistant for a self-learning platform

New features can look like tiny tweaks or massive updates. No matter what, they should always benefit the user experience.

When you’ve made plans to produce feature improvements, it can be tempting to launch straight into the building process—diving into everything all at once. To streamline workflows—and separate your stellar feature ideas from so-so plans, ask yourself, “What are the best ways to prioritize a list of product features?”

The answer lies in the user. Consider how they will benefit from proposed updates and iterations. Returning to the purpose can direct your time and energy in the most effective directions.

Consider the scope of the project as well. What steps will you take to develop the feature, and how much of your team’s resources should you invest to meet your product vision? Understanding the costs from the planning stage will help you stay on track as your new feature build unfolds.