When building digital products, the focus on single features and urgent client needs can lead to a large, high-maintenance product portfolio that may not align with core customer segments or long-term business strategy.
This article introduces the concept of conducting a "Product Kondo" exercise on your product portfolio, inspired by Marie Kondo's approach to organizing and decluttering.
It emphasizes the benefits of simplifying and organizing large legacy product portfolios to reduce maintenance costs, align with business strategy, and prioritize customer-centric solutions.
The article presents a case study of a global organization that underwent a portfolio clean-up, outlining the challenges faced and the steps taken to streamline and prioritize the product portfolio.
Key steps in the "Product Kondo" exercise include defining user segments, auditing the current portfolio, establishing evaluation criteria, and ensuring stakeholder buy-in.
Through workshops and visualization tools like Miro boards, the organization categorized and prioritized items in the portfolio, achieving a 67.8% reduction in the number of items post clean-up.
The exercise highlighted the importance of categorization, stakeholder involvement, and transparency in decision-making to streamline the product portfolio and prepare for future growth.
The article stresses the significance of shared terminology, correct categorization, and ongoing strategic alignment to ensure that the product portfolio serves both user needs and business goals effectively.
By conducting a comprehensive portfolio clean-up and involving teams in the transformation process, organizations can become more agile, prioritize strategic initiatives, and adapt to changing market dynamics.
The article suggests starting with smaller clean-up efforts if full portfolio restructuring is challenging, emphasizing the continual evaluation and alignment of products with user segments.
The ultimate goal of the "Product Kondo" exercise is to create a leaner, more customer-focused product portfolio that drives growth and innovation while aligning with the organization's strategic objectives.