Participants:

2-10

11-25

25+

Prep Time:

Time to run:

30 min

Buy a feature template

A game in which people use artificial money to express trade-off decisions

Start from this template

Courtesy of our friends at

Use this template to simulate the conditions that exist when people have to budget their resources to get what they want.

'Buy a Feature' is a prioritization method commonly used in design thinking and product management to determine which potential features are valued the most by stakeholders.

Because you provide people with a limited amount of currency with which to buy items, participants must pick and choose which are most important, helping you quickly prioritize your list. The resulting decisions are valuable in assessing what features or concepts should be present in the final design.

The buy-a-feature template helps you:

Identify what people value as the most important items
Quickly prioritize items in a list
Better understand the decision-making process behind prioritization

How to use the buy-a-feature template

To use the buy-a-feature template, follow the steps outlined below.

1. Identify a central problem or idea to focus on

Clearly outline what the central focus of your discussion will be. Make sure it can be explained in a few words or one sentence.

2. Build out a list of features associated with the idea and assign values

The next step is to add a list of new features, ideas, or solutions that pertain to the main problem, and assign them (virtual) monetary value based on how difficult they would be to accomplish.

For example, this might be a list of product features from the backlog to be prioritized for upcoming product development.

3. Invite 1-2 stakeholders at a time to play the game, and give them a limited amount of virtual money to spend

Here’s where the game begins — by giving a fixed amount of resources to the key stakeholders, you can see which product features they would prioritize given the constraints.

Additionally, you can monitor the decision-making process, asking questions about why participants make certain choices. Those answers may be just as meaningful as their purchases.

4. Take thorough notes and collect takeaways into themes

As each set of stakeholders moves through the game, write down your takeaways using sticky notes so that you can organize your feedback into groups or themes. This will help make your results more actionable.

Tips for running a buy-a-feature template exercise

To get the most out of your buy-a-feature template workshop, try these tips:

Ensure that the problem or idea is clearly outlined and everyone has the appropriate context so that your feedback is meaningful and to the point
Use tools like private mode or anonymous voting to avoid groupthink and capture individual feedback even in a group setting
Make sure to ask questions of your participants as they work through the session so that you understand the thought process behind their decisions for different initiatives

How to create a Buy a feature template

Start from blank template

View example template

Mural makes gathering meaningful feedback easy, so you can build better next steps

With Mural, you can run a workshop asynchronously or in real-time, and gather meaningful feedback on any project, all in one place.

Outline navigation & instructions

Structure your mural for easy navigation, then add activity instructions for collaborators.

Flexible permissions

Control access to collaboration features with view-only, edit, and facilitator settings.

Asynchronous collaboration

Innovate and collaborate effectively together without booking time on calendars.

Sticky notes & text

Add ideas, action items, and more as a sticky note or text box — then change the colors and cluster to identify patterns and new solutions.

Anonymous voting

Gain consensus and reach alignment quickly, either in real time or asynchronously.

Private mode

Avoid groupthink and get authentic feedback by allowing collaborators to add content privately.

Buy a feature template frequently asked questions

To run a 'Buy a Feature' exercise, follow these steps:

Define the goal and scope

Clearly define the objective of the exercise. Determine the specific features or ideas that need prioritization. Clarify the scope and any constraints, such as budget limitations or timeframes.

Gather a diverse group of participants

Invite project managers, product managers, engineering teams, and other relevant stakeholders to participate. It's crucial to have diverse perspectives to capture a comprehensive range of insights.

Explain the exercise

Start by explaining the 'Buy a Feature' exercise and its purpose. Provide an overview of the rules and guidelines to ensure everyone understands the process. Emphasize that participants will be allotted a limited budget to prioritize features.

Set the budget

Determine the budget for the exercise. This can be a hypothetical budget or based on real resource constraints. The budget represents the currency that participants will use to 'buy' features.

Prepare a feature list

Create a list of features or ideas that require prioritization. Each feature should be described concisely, including relevant details or supporting materials. It's helpful to include visuals, such as screenshots or prototypes, to provide context.

Distribute the budget

Distribute the allocated budget to each participant. This can be done in the form of virtual currency (e.g., tokens or play money) or simply as a numerical value. Ensure that each participant receives the same budget amount.

Allocate the budget

Instruct participants to allocate their budget to the features they find most valuable. They can assign different amounts to different features based on their priorities. Participants should spend the entire budget or distribute it among the features until they are satisfied.

Facilitate discussions

Encourage participants to discuss their feature allocations with each other. Allow them to express their reasoning, advocate for their preferred features, and share insights. This promotes collaboration and helps participants understand different perspectives.

Analyze the results

Once participants have allocated their budgets, analyze the results. Identify the features that received the highest allocations, indicating their perceived value. Look for patterns or trends among the allocations and consider the impact of individual decisions.

Discuss and decide

Engage the group in a discussion about the results. Encourage participants to share their thoughts on the prioritization outcomes. Consider areas of agreement and disagreement. Use this discussion to inform decision-making and further refine the prioritization.

Document and communicate the results

Document the outcomes of the exercise, including the feature allocations and any insights gained during discussions. Share the results with the team, stakeholders, or decision-makers. This information can help guide future planning, product roadmaps, or development efforts.

By following these steps, you can effectively run a 'Buy a Feature' exercise to collect and prioritize ideas based on different participants' perspectives. Remember to adapt the process to fit the specific needs and dynamics of your team or organization.

Template by LUMA Institute

LUMA offers acclaimed in-person training, custom innovation programs, and a unique digital platform (LUMA Workplace), used by innovators in over 70 countries. Leading organizations around the globe rely on the LUMA System of Innovation — a practical, flexible, and scalable approach to Human-Centered Design.

Mural is the only platform that offers both a shared workspace and training on the LUMA System™, a practical way to collaborate that anyone can learn and apply.

Learn more about LUMA Institute

Buy a feature template

Mural makes gathering meaningful feedback easy, so you can build better next steps

Outline navigation & instructions

Flexible permissions

Asynchronous collaboration

Sticky notes & text

Anonymous voting

Private mode

Buy a feature template frequently asked questions

What is ‘buy a feature?’

How do I run a ‘buy a feature’ exercise?

Template by LUMA Institute

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