Should Pineapple prioritize expanding our product line or improving existing core features?

Introduction

The key trade-off we're examining is whether Pineapple should prioritize expanding our product line or improving existing core features. This decision will significantly impact our product strategy, resource allocation, and market positioning. I'll analyze this trade-off by considering our business context, user impact, technical feasibility, and resource constraints.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Based on our current market position, I'm thinking this decision might be driven by competitive pressure. Could you share more about our market share trends and key competitors' recent moves?

Why it matters: Helps understand external factors influencing the decision Expected answer: We're facing increased competition in core features Impact on approach: Would lean towards improving core features if competition is intensifying

• Considering our user base, I'm assuming we have a mix of power users and casual users. Can you provide a breakdown of our user segments and their engagement levels?

Why it matters: Different user segments may have varying needs and preferences Expected answer: 20% power users, 80% casual users with varying engagement Impact on approach: Would tailor strategy to prioritize needs of dominant or high-value segments

• Looking at our technical infrastructure, I'm curious about our current scalability. How well-positioned are we to support new product lines versus optimizing existing features?

Why it matters: Technical constraints could limit our options or increase costs Expected answer: Current infrastructure is stable but would require significant investment for new product lines Impact on approach: Might favor improving core features if expansion is technically challenging

• Regarding our team structure, I'm wondering about our current capacity and expertise. Do we have dedicated teams for new product development and core feature improvement, or would this require resource reallocation?

Why it matters: Team capacity and skills influence feasibility and timeline Expected answer: Limited dedicated resources for new product development Impact on approach: Could lean towards core feature improvement if it aligns better with current team structure

• Considering our financial goals, I'm thinking about the potential revenue impact of each option. Can you share our current revenue breakdown and growth targets for the next fiscal year?

Why it matters: Aligns decision with financial objectives and stakeholder expectations Expected answer: Aggressive growth targets, current revenue primarily from core products Impact on approach: Might favor expansion if current products are near market saturation