For Veracode's Dynamic Analysis, should we invest in more advanced authentication handling capabilities or broaden the range of web technologies supported?

Introduction

For Veracode's Dynamic Analysis, we're faced with a critical trade-off: investing in more advanced authentication handling capabilities versus broadening the range of web technologies supported. This decision will significantly impact our product's effectiveness and market reach. I'll analyze this trade-off by examining our product's current state, potential impacts, and key metrics, then design an experiment to validate our approach and provide a data-driven recommendation.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Based on our market position, I'm thinking this decision could significantly impact our competitive edge. Could you share how our current Dynamic Analysis capabilities compare to our main competitors?

Why it matters: Helps prioritize features that differentiate us in the market Expected answer: We're on par with competitors in most areas, but lagging in some advanced authentication methods Impact on approach: Would lean towards improving authentication if we're behind competitors

• Considering our user base, I'm assuming we have a mix of enterprise and SMB clients. What's the current split, and are we seeing any trends in adoption rates for different segments?

Why it matters: Informs which segment might benefit most from each investment option Expected answer: 60% enterprise, 40% SMB, with growing SMB adoption Impact on approach: Might prioritize broader tech support if SMB growth is a priority

• From a technical standpoint, I'm curious about our current authentication handling capabilities. What specific advanced methods are we considering, and how complex would the implementation be?

Why it matters: Helps assess the feasibility and potential impact of improving authentication Expected answer: Considering support for OAuth 2.0 and SAML; moderate complexity Impact on approach: Would influence resource allocation and timeline estimates

• Regarding resources, I'm wondering about our team's current capacity and expertise. Do we have the in-house skills for both options, or would we need to hire or train for either?

Why it matters: Affects the feasibility and timeline of each option Expected answer: Strong authentication expertise, but would need to hire for some newer web technologies Impact on approach: Might favor authentication if it aligns better with current team skills

• Thinking about our product roadmap, how urgent is this decision? Are there any upcoming releases or strategic initiatives that this needs to align with?

Why it matters: Helps prioritize the decision within our broader strategy Expected answer: Aiming for a major release in Q4, decision needed within 2 months Impact on approach: Would influence the scope and timeline of our experiment and implementation