PRUNE THE PRODUCT TREE
(game)
Brief description
Draw a large tree on a whiteboard. Thick limbs represent major areas of functionality within your system; the inside of the tree contains leaves that represent features in current release; leaves that are placed at the outer edge of the canopy represent new features; the edges of the tree represent the future; the roots system represents the services, support, and related infrastructure. Write potentially new features on several index cards (ideally shaped as leaves). Ask your customers to place desired features around the tree, shaping its growth. Do they shape the tree growing in a balanced manner? Does one branch get the bulk of the growth? Does an underutilized aspect of the tree become stronger?
Preparing
- Select your tree and decide how you want it drawn.
- Prepare one tree for each group of customers (each group between 4-10 people).
- Identify existing features that you want customers to consider pruning (by taking them off the tree).
- Identify new features that you want customers to consider adding to the tree.
- List the features on the front of the leaf and the perceived benefits on the back.
- Have blank leaves for customers to provide new information.
- Encourage participants to write information into the root system.
Playing
- 4-10 participants in each tree.
- Explain that the shape of the tree represents growth over time.
- Ask participants to prune the tree (taking off and adding features)
- Allow each group time to present their results to the entire group
Processing Results
- Which of the features were pruned?
- Do the trees retain their general shape?
- How fast do customers want your tree to grow?
- What things do customers add to or remove from your root system? How do these relate to your current infrastructure?