How do you weigh options and determine the most appropriate course of action when faced with a challenging decision?

Question

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Context: One of the most challenging situations I had to deal with recently was
deciding whether or not to expand features on a product we had just launched.
The product scans our customers' websites periodically and reports on trackers
and pixels that could jeopardize user privacy data. We assumed that customers
would also want the ability to select trackers in the reports and implement
blockers we provide. This feature would require significant engineering
resources and effort, and I wanted to ensure we were building the right thing.
Decision process: To approach this decision, I consulted with stakeholders,
conducted customer interviews, and collected data for analysis. This involved
engaging with our product team, engineering leads, and a sample of our customers
to gather diverse perspectives and validate our assumptions.
Outcome: Ultimately, we decided to proceed with the feature, but we scoped it
just enough to gather more signals. This decision was difficult because, while
early research showed potential, the evidence was not yet strong. We had to
balance immediate resource allocation with other priorities. We managed to
secure buy-in from the product team and other stakeholders based on our research
findings. 
Learning: This experience taught me the critical importance of researching
customer interests for product development. Being flexible with project scope
and ensuring stakeholder buy-in were crucial for the project's success. In
future, I would allocate more time for this research phase ahead of major
decisions to ensure we are aligning our efforts with customer needs and
organizational priorities.

How do you weigh options and determine the most appropriate course of action when faced with a challenging decision?

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