routine One of them, if not the main one, is to create solutions that solve real problems, while offering unique and memorable experiences to those who purchase, keeping the brand relevant in the market.
In pursuit of this ideal, the 3% rule is a fascinating concept that can be used to profoundly impact the way we create digital products. Do you want to understand what this rule is and how it can be applied in practice?
In this article, you will learn what the 3% rule means and its implications for designers and product team members. You will also see some practical examples of how to implement it in different contexts.
What is the 3% rule?
The 3% rule is a principle that suggests that small, incremental changes, no matter how small , can have a significant impact on the experience of someone using a product.
Following this idea, only 3% of the time spent on a project should how famous is botim of worldwide be dedicated to creating new features or functionality. The other 97% should be spent on incremental improvements, optimizations, and bug fixes .
This approach emphasizes the importance of focusing on continually refining the product , rather than recurrently releasing new features.
The premise is simple: by improving the product in small, consistent increments, teams can improve usability, functionality, and customer satisfaction . This approach fosters a continuous feedback loop , allowing for rapid adjustments and adaptations based on real needs.
Origin of the concept of the 3% rule
The 3% rule does not have a precise and documented origin as a specific concept or term. It is derived from widely recognized practices and methodologies in design, engineering, and product management . Learn about the philosophies on which it is based.
Kaizen
Originating in Japan, Kaizen is a philosophy that emphasizes continuous improvement through small, incremental changes . This approach is widely used in manufacturing, process management, and product design.
Iterative Design
Iterative design is a common practice in product development and software design. In it, the product is continually refined and improved through repetitive cycles of prototyping, testing, analysis, and refinement.
Lean Startup
The Lean Startup methodology , proposed by Eric Ries in the book “The Lean Startup”, encourages the creation of minimum viable products (MVPs). It also encourages the implementation of small improvements based on customer feedback to minimize risks and increase the efficiency of the development process.
Why is the 3% rule important?
As you may have noticed, what all the philosophies mentioned above have in common is the value of continuous improvement through small increments . This approach allows for quick and more accurate adjustments to be made in optimizing products and processes, as they are based on constant feedback.
Below, we present some factors that highlight the importance of the 3% rule.
Risk minimization
Small changes reduce the risk of significant failures. This makes it easier to identify and correct problems that arise during this process.
Focus on value for those who use the product
By focusing on incremental improvements, the team can address the most important usability issues and deliver value faster and more efficiently . Additionally, these optimizations ensure that aspects of the product are constantly refined, which makes the user experience more enjoyable.
Cost and time reduction
Launching new products is time-consuming and resource-intensive. The 3% rule helps teams focus on low-cost improvements that can be delivered quickly. It also allows them to quickly adapt to changing market demands and customer preferences, keeping the product relevant and competitive.
Continuous learning
The 3% rule allows the team to gather feedback from those who have already purchased and used the product. This allows them to continually learn how to improve it.
How to apply the 3% rule?
To apply the 3% rule, the team must follow a few steps. Here are what they are.
Defining success metrics: It is important to define them well and share them with everyone. Some of the main metrics to monitor include conversion, retention, and customer reviews.
Customer feedback: Areas for improvement can only be identified through continuous feedback collection.
Prioritize improvements: the potential impact on the experience of those who use the product and on success metrics should be the guide when defining and prioritizing improvements.
Implement improvements: Implementing improvements should be quick and iterative, with testing and learning over time.
Monitoring results: The team should measure the results of improvements and adjust the approach as needed.
Real cases of applying the 3% rule to digital products
The 3% rule is quite useful in different contexts. Check out some examples.
Gmail
Gmail, Google's email service, is a classic example of the 3% rule. Since its launch, Google has made small, ongoing improvements to Gmail's interface, usability, and functionality .
These incremental changes helped keep the service relevant and efficient. They met the needs of their customers, which kept them loyal over the years.
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