How can Milestone Systems balance adding new features with maintaining system stability?

Introduction

Balancing the addition of new features with maintaining system stability is a critical challenge for Milestone Systems. This trade-off involves weighing the benefits of innovation against the risks of potential system disruptions. I'll analyze this scenario by examining the product context, identifying key metrics, designing experiments, and providing a strategic recommendation.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Context: I'm assuming Milestone Systems is a video management software provider. Could you confirm if this is correct and if there are any specific market segments or industries they're focusing on?

Why it matters: Helps tailor the solution to specific user needs and industry requirements Expected answer: Confirmation of industry focus, e.g., enterprise security Impact on approach: Would influence feature prioritization and stability requirements

• Business Context: Based on the company's position, I'm thinking revenue might be primarily from software licenses or subscriptions. Is this accurate, and are there any specific growth targets or competitive pressures we should consider?

Why it matters: Aligns solution with business model and strategic objectives Expected answer: Confirmation of revenue model and growth targets Impact on approach: Would inform the balance between new features and stability based on business priorities

• User Impact: I'm assuming there's a diverse user base, from security personnel to IT administrators. Can you provide insights into the most critical user segments and their primary pain points?

Why it matters: Ensures the solution addresses key user needs Expected answer: Breakdown of user segments and their priorities Impact on approach: Would help prioritize features and stability improvements for different user groups

• Technical: Considering the nature of video management systems, I imagine scalability and real-time performance are crucial. Are there any specific technical constraints or architecture considerations we should be aware of?

Why it matters: Ensures proposed solutions are technically feasible Expected answer: Information on current architecture and technical limitations Impact on approach: Would influence the approach to implementing new features while maintaining stability

• Resource: Understanding the development team's capacity is crucial. Can you give me an idea of the size and structure of the product and engineering teams working on this?

Why it matters: Helps determine the feasibility of proposed solutions Expected answer: Overview of team size and structure Impact on approach: Would impact the scope and timeline of proposed changes