Fighting Feature Creep: Saying No to Good Ideas

Every customer has feature requests. Most are good ideas. We build 10% of them.

The Problem

Limited time. Limited resources. Unlimited ideas.

Every "small feature" takes longer than expected. Maintenance compounds.

Our Filter

Before building anything, we ask:

1. Does it solve a problem for >20% of users?
2. Can it be built in <1 week?
3. Does it align with core product vision?

All three must be yes. Otherwise, it goes on the "someday" list.

The Someday List

A graveyard of features that might happen but probably won't.

Customers hate hearing "someday." But it beats overpromising and underdelivering.

The Alternative

Build custom features for paying customers. They pay extra. We build it. Everyone wins.

What We've Skipped

• Advanced reporting (they can export to Excel)
• Mobile app (mobile web works fine)
• Multi-currency support (95% need only KES)
• 20+ other "must-have" features

Still in business. Customers still happy.

The Principle

Every feature you add is a feature you maintain forever. Choose wisely.