Why Product Managers Need Surveys

Surveys have long been one of the key tools in a product manager’s toolkit. The right survey can act as a bridge between your product and its target audience, helping you create something truly in demand.

In this article, we’ll explore why surveys are so important for successful product development.

Understanding User Needs

Building a product roadmap isn’t just about outlining a sequence of tasks — it’s a strategic process based on real user needs and expectations. Surveys allow you to better understand what your customers truly want from your product.

With surveys, you can uncover:

• Unmet user problems your product can solve.
• Features your customers expect or desire.
• Feedback on your current features and interface.

By gathering this information, you can create a roadmap that aligns closely with user expectations.

Gathering Feedback After Feature Releases

After releasing new functionality, it’s crucial to understand how well it meets user needs. Surveys help you learn:

• How easy the new feature is to use.
• Whether users are satisfied with the changes.
• What improvements or adjustments might be necessary.

Collecting feedback enables you to quickly adapt your direction and focus on what truly matters to users.

Minimizing Risk When Introducing Changes

Any product change carries risk. Surveys allow you to gather user input before implementing changes, helping you gauge reactions and anticipate challenges. This approach helps you:

• Test hypotheses early in the development process.
• Reduce the chance of negative user reactions.
• Lower the cost of post-launch fixes and adjustments.

Setting the Right Priorities

There’s always a long list of potential improvements on the product roadmap — but not all of them are equally important to your users. Surveys help you:

• Assess the relevance of different development directions.
• Identify which features or tasks should be prioritized.
• Stay focused on what matters most to your audience.

Conclusion

Surveys are a powerful tool for product managers. They not only bring you closer to your users but also guide you in building a product that is both useful and loved. Don’t underestimate the value of speaking directly with your users — it’s the foundation of a successful and in-demand product.