For Comscore's Plan Metrix solution, should we prioritize expanding industry verticals or enhancing granularity within existing categories?

Introduction

The trade-off we're examining today is whether to prioritize expanding industry verticals or enhancing granularity within existing categories for Comscore's Plan Metrix solution. This decision is crucial for Comscore's product strategy and market positioning. I'll analyze this trade-off by considering user needs, market dynamics, technical feasibility, and business impact.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Context: I'm assuming Plan Metrix is a key product for Comscore. Could you confirm its current market position and how it fits into Comscore's overall product portfolio?

Why it matters: Helps understand the strategic importance of this decision Expected answer: Plan Metrix is a core offering with significant revenue impact Impact on approach: Would influence resource allocation and risk tolerance

• Business Context: Based on our current market share, I'm thinking expansion might be critical. How does our coverage compare to competitors in terms of industry verticals and granularity?

Why it matters: Identifies competitive advantages and gaps Expected answer: We lead in some verticals but lag in others Impact on approach: Would guide whether to focus on strengthening existing verticals or expanding into new ones

• User Impact: Considering user feedback, I'm assuming there's demand for both expansion and granularity. Can you share insights from recent customer surveys or usage data?

Why it matters: Ensures alignment with user needs and preferences Expected answer: Mixed feedback, with some users requesting new verticals and others wanting more detailed data Impact on approach: Would help prioritize which user segments to focus on

• Technical Feasibility: Given our current data infrastructure, I'm thinking granularity might be easier to implement. What are the technical challenges for each option?

Why it matters: Assesses implementation complexity and resource requirements Expected answer: Granularity requires data processing upgrades, expansion needs new data sources Impact on approach: Would influence timeline and resource allocation

• Resource Constraints: Considering typical project scopes, I'm assuming we have limited resources for this initiative. What's our budget and team capacity for this project?

Why it matters: Determines the scale and scope of possible solutions Expected answer: Moderate budget with potential for additional resources if ROI is demonstrated Impact on approach: Would shape the phasing and prioritization of features