How can product managers plan to sunset the features?

Sunsetting features can be a challenging task for product managers, as they need to balance the needs of their users with the need to move the product forward. Here are some steps that can help product managers plan to sunset features:

1. Evaluate the feature’s usage: The first step is to evaluate the usage of the feature. Analyze metrics such as usage, engagement, and customer feedback to determine the value of the feature to users. If the feature is not being used or is not providing value to users, it may be a good candidate for sunsetting.
2. Communicate the decision: Once you have decided to sunset a feature, it’s essential to communicate the decision to users. Be transparent about why you are sunsetting the feature and what impact it will have on users.
3. Set a timeline: Set a timeline for sunsetting the feature. Provide users with a reasonable amount of time to adjust to the change and plan their workflows accordingly. Depending on the complexity of the feature, the timeline can range from a few weeks to a few months.
4. Provide alternatives: Provide users with alternative solutions to the feature that is being sunset. This can include alternative products or services that can provide the same functionality, or new features that can replace the sunset feature.
5. Monitor the impact: Monitor the impact of the sunset feature on users and be open to feedback. Collect user feedback to understand how the feature’s sunset has impacted their workflows and whether the alternatives provided are meeting their needs.
6. Communicate the final sunset: Finally, communicate the final sunset of the feature to users. Make sure to provide clear instructions on how to remove the feature from their workflows and answer any questions or concerns they may have.

Let’s say you are a product manager for a social media platform, and you have noticed that a feature that allows users to share their location with friends is not being widely used. After evaluating the feature’s usage and customer feedback, you have decided to sunset the feature.

Here are the steps you might take:

1. Evaluate the feature’s usage: You find that only a small percentage of users have enabled the location sharing feature, and even fewer users are actively using it. Additionally, you have received feedback from some users that they are uncomfortable sharing their location with others.
2. Communicate the decision: You communicate to your users that you will be sunsetting the location sharing feature, explaining that it is not being widely used and some users have expressed concerns about privacy.
3. Set a timeline: You provide a timeline for the sunset process, giving users four weeks to adjust their workflows and remove the feature from their accounts.
4. Provide alternatives: You provide users with alternative solutions, such as the ability to share their location through private messaging or by tagging their location in a post.
5. Monitor the impact: You monitor the impact of the sunset feature, collecting user feedback to understand how the change has affected their experience on the platform.
6. Communicate the final sunset: Finally, you communicate the final sunset of the feature, providing clear instructions on how to remove the feature from their accounts.

In this way, by carefully planning and communicating the sunset process, you can minimize the impact on your users and ensure a smooth transition.

Thanks for reading! If you’ve got ideas to contribute to this conversation please comment. If you like what you read and want to see more, clap me some love! Follow me here, or connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Do check out exclusive Product Management resources 👇

• The Ultimate List of 100+ Product Management tools 🛠https://rohitverma.gumroad.com/l/PM-tools
• The Ultimate List of Product Management Frameworks ⚙️
  https://rohitverma.gumroad.com/l/PM-frameworks
• The most exhaustive OKRs notion template 📔https://rohitverma.gumroad.com/l/OKR-Template