The Trap of Unused Features 😵‍💫

Introduction : Why more isn't always better

In software development, we often believe that the more features we add, the better a product becomes. But after 20 years of experience in software development, I’ve seen a recurring pattern that, in my view, hinders true innovation and product optimization.

The classic pattern of unused features 😵‍💫

Here’s what I’ve increasingly encountered in recent projects:

The project manager has an idea for a new feature to implement.
We start working on the feature as soon as the UI/UX design is ready.
The feature is delivered to production.
The project manager proposes a new idea, and the cycle repeats.

While this process is efficient in terms of delivery, it often leads to a product overloaded with features, many of which are neither used nor appreciated by end users. This is what I call the "endless feature-adding syndrome". But why is this method, so popular, problematic?

The dangers of an approach driven by internal ideas 🛑

Unused or poorly used features
The biggest risk here is focusing more on delivering new ideas than on their actual impact. When a feature is conceived and developed without user consultation or testing, it’s common for it not to meet their needs. The result? Features that go unnoticed or, worse, create confusion.
An overloaded and complex product 🤯
As features are stacked up, the product becomes more and more difficult for users to understand. They end up not knowing which features are useful and which to ignore. This can also degrade the user experience, making the interface cluttered and confusing.
Technical debt and maintenance costs 💻
Every new feature adds extra code, tests, UX/UI adjustments, and of course, ongoing maintenance. More features also mean more bugs, regressions, and growing complexity. This leads to the infamous technical debt, which eventually slows down future product evolutions.
A diluted product vision 👀
By constantly responding to internal impulses (such as those from the project manager), the initial product vision can become diluted. What was supposed to be a product focused on its strengths becomes a collection of features that, in the end, don’t add real value.

Solutions for a product better suited to users 💡

To break out of this spiral, it’s necessary to adopt a more user-centered approach, while remaining flexible in development. Here are some ideas to avoid these pitfalls:

Prioritize based on user value
Every new feature idea should be evaluated based on its added value for end users. Adopting a Lean or Agile approach helps to quickly test features, gather feedback, and validate whether they truly meet user expectations.
Involve users in the design process 👥
Even before development starts, users should be involved in the design process. This could involve interviews, usability tests, or A/B testing to ensure each feature addresses a real need rather than an internal hypothesis.
Analyze feature usage 📊
Once in production, it’s crucial to track feature usage and analyze user behavior. This allows us to determine what is really used, what isn’t, and adjust development accordingly.
Streamline the product 🎯
Rather than endlessly stacking up features, it can be helpful to take a more minimalist approach. It’s better to have a product with few features that perfectly meet user needs than an overloaded product where the essentials get lost in the clutter.

Conclusion: Innovating without getting lost in surplus 🚀

Development cycles driven by internal ideas, while effective in the short term, often end up harming the quality and simplicity of a product. As a developer or project manager, it’s important to ask: will this feature really improve my users' experience?
In a world where simplicity and efficiency are key, it’s crucial to refocus on what truly matters: the users' needs. After all, a product full of unused features will never provide as much value as a product that’s simple, effective, and perfectly aligned with user expectations. ✨