productshave

Productshave is a concept in product management that describes the deliberate reduction of a product’s feature set and scope to emphasize core user value and speed to market. The term combines “product” and “shave,” implying trimming rather than expanding the offering.

Origin and usage notes are informal, with the idea echoing lean product development and minimum viable product practices that gained prominence in the 2010s and 2020s. In discussions, productshave is presented as a disciplined approach to avoid feature bloat and to keep teams focused on outcomes.

Principles of productshave include prioritizing user value, defining clear outcomes, maintaining a lean scope, and validating changes with data. It encourages iterative refinement and frequent reevaluation of what is essential for the product’s core proposition. Decisions are guided by user needs, business goals, and the costs of complexity.

Methods commonly associated with productshave involve feature audits, value-versus-cost analyses, and user research to identify which capabilities support essential jobs-to-be-done. Prioritization frameworks such as RICE or MoSCoW can help determine what to remove or retain. Roadmaps typically highlight milestones tied to delivering a minimal, coherent set of core features.

Applications span software, mobile applications, and hardware products, particularly in startups and teams aiming for rapid iteration and reduced maintenance. Proponents argue that productshave strengthens focus and usability, while critics caution that overzealous trimming can remove legitimate user needs or undermine long-term strategy.

See also: minimal viable product, feature creep, lean startup, product management.