← Back to Glossary
Core PM ConceptsP

Prioritization

Definition

The process of deciding what to build next from a pool of competing opportunities, balancing factors like user impact, business value, strategic alignment, effort, and risk. Effective prioritization is the hallmark of strong product management and requires saying "no" far more often than "yes." PMs use frameworks like RICE, ICE, MoSCoW, and Weighted Scoring to bring rigor to these decisions.

Why It Matters for Product Managers

Understanding prioritization is critical for product managers because it directly influences how teams prioritize work, measure progress, and deliver value to users. PMs use frameworks like RICE, ICE, MoSCoW, and Weighted Scoring to bring rigor to these decisions. Without a clear grasp of this concept, PMs risk making decisions based on assumptions rather than evidence, which can lead to wasted engineering effort and missed market opportunities.

How It Works in Practice

Product teams put this concept into action by integrating it into their regular workflow:

  • Adopt — Agree as a team on how and when to apply this practice, making it an explicit part of the team's working agreement.
  • Execute — Follow through consistently, treating the practice as a non-negotiable part of how the team operates.
  • Inspect — Regularly evaluate whether the practice is delivering the expected benefits and surface any friction.
  • Adapt — Adjust the approach based on what the team learns, keeping what works and discarding what does not.

    • The value of prioritization compounds over time. Teams that commit to it consistently see improvements in velocity, quality, and cross-functional alignment.

    Common Pitfalls

  • Treating this as a checkbox activity rather than embedding it into daily team habits.
  • Applying the concept rigidly without adapting it to the team's context and maturity level.
  • Failing to communicate the purpose behind the practice, which leads to team resistance.

    • Related Concepts

    To build a more complete picture, explore these related concepts: RICE Framework, ICE Scoring, Weighted Scoring, and Backlog. Each connects to this term and together they form a toolkit that product managers draw on daily.

    Related Terms

    RICE FrameworkICE ScoringMoSCoW PrioritizationWeighted ScoringBacklog

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is prioritization in product management?+
    The process of deciding what to build next from a pool of competing opportunities, balancing factors like user impact, business value, strategic alignment, effort, and risk. Product managers use this concept to make more informed decisions and deliver better outcomes for users and the business.
    Why is prioritization important for product teams?+
    Prioritization is important because it provides structure and alignment that enable teams to ship faster, reduce waste, and maintain quality. Teams that adopt this practice consistently see improvements in collaboration, predictability, and user satisfaction.
    ← PreviousPositioningNext →Problem Statement

    Explore More PM Terms

    Browse our complete glossary of 100+ product management terms.

    Full GlossaryExplore Frameworks