For AVEVA's PI System, should we prioritize developing more industry-specific features or focus on improving cross-industry compatibility?

Introduction

The trade-off we're examining today is whether AVEVA's PI System should prioritize developing more industry-specific features or focus on improving cross-industry compatibility. This decision is crucial for the product's growth strategy and market positioning. I'll analyze this trade-off by considering user needs, technical feasibility, market dynamics, and long-term business impact.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Based on our current market share, I'm thinking industry-specific features might be crucial for penetrating new verticals. Could you share which industries are our primary focus for growth?

Why it matters: Helps prioritize feature development for high-potential industries Expected answer: Oil & Gas, Manufacturing, and Utilities are top priorities Impact on approach: Would focus on features specific to these industries

• Considering our revenue model, I assume cross-industry compatibility could expand our total addressable market. How does our pricing structure differ between industry-specific and general solutions?

Why it matters: Informs potential revenue impact of each approach Expected answer: Industry-specific solutions command higher prices but have a smaller market Impact on approach: Would need to balance premium pricing with market size

• Looking at user behavior, I'm curious about the adoption rates of industry-specific features versus general features. Do we have data on feature usage across different customer segments?

Why it matters: Indicates actual value delivered to users Expected answer: Industry-specific features have higher engagement in relevant sectors Impact on approach: Would inform which features to prioritize for development

• From a technical perspective, I'm wondering about the complexity of implementing cross-industry compatibility. What are the main technical challenges we face in this area?

Why it matters: Assesses feasibility and resource requirements Expected answer: Significant data model changes and API refactoring needed Impact on approach: Would influence timeline and resource allocation

• Considering our current team structure, I'm thinking about our capacity to develop both industry-specific and cross-industry features simultaneously. How are our product and engineering teams currently organized?

Why it matters: Determines our ability to pursue both strategies Expected answer: Teams are currently organized by industry verticals Impact on approach: Might require team restructuring for cross-industry focus