Don't write it down

Customer feedback is valuable, but not all of it deserves a spot on your to-do list. In this episode, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson revisit a chapter from their book REWORK, sharing how 37signals filters feedback, why roadmaps can do more harm than good, and what happens when companies let fear drive their product decisions.

Key Takeaways

• 00:40 – Why writing down every customer request can work against you
• 03:08 – Handling feedback on the technical and open source side
• 07:37 – Why 37signals doesn't really use time specific roadmaps
• 09:54 – How vague promises set customers up for disappointment
• 13:33 – Avoiding promised feature regret
• 16:10 – Don't let the fear of losing customers steer your decisions
• 19:29 – Resisting the pressure to just "do something”

Links and Resources

• Record a video question for the podcast
• Watch The REWORK podcast on YouTube
• Basecamp is the no-nonsense project management system. Sign up for free at Basecamp.com
• HEY is a fresh take on email. Sign up for a 30-day free trial at HEY.com
• Fizzy is a modern spin on kanban. Sign up for free at fizzy.do
• Books by 37signals
• Jason Fried on X
• David Heinemeier Hansson on X