Comments on: How can you best discontinue a product? http://ask.goodproductmanager.com/2008/08/25/how-can-you-best-discontinue-a-product/ Your product management questions answered Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:48:32 +0000 hourly 1 By: Steven Haines http://ask.goodproductmanager.com/2008/08/25/how-can-you-best-discontinue-a-product/comment-page-1/#comment-11647 Steven Haines Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:59:47 +0000 http://ask.goodproductmanager.com/?p=73#comment-11647 Cheryl, There is a chapter in my book, with a guideline for discontinuation. However, you can make one based on the format and flow of a Business Case. Instead of investment, it's a divestiture. Beware of contractual commitments, inventory (if you have), intellectual property, migration, and of course, people who have to take part from a cross-functional perspective. Cheryl,

There is a chapter in my book, with a guideline for discontinuation. However, you can make one based on the format and flow of a Business Case. Instead of investment, it’s a divestiture. Beware of contractual commitments, inventory (if you have), intellectual property, migration, and of course, people who have to take part from a cross-functional perspective.

]]> By: Cheryl Perkins http://ask.goodproductmanager.com/2008/08/25/how-can-you-best-discontinue-a-product/comment-page-1/#comment-11642 Cheryl Perkins Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:56:56 +0000 http://ask.goodproductmanager.com/?p=73#comment-11642 Is there a template that addresses the steps of decommissioning a product available? Is there a template that addresses the steps of decommissioning a product available?

]]> By: Steven Haines http://ask.goodproductmanager.com/2008/08/25/how-can-you-best-discontinue-a-product/comment-page-1/#comment-435 Steven Haines Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:16:02 +0000 http://ask.goodproductmanager.com/?p=73#comment-435 Good points on discontinuation. Other things to think about focus on the 'de-operataionalization' of systems. Including decommissioning product ordering and billing codes, as well as related deactivation of related accounting system elements. Anything tangible? Think about last-time orders for parts and stocking additional documentation. Lastly, think about pricing programs during the discontinuation cycle. Increasing prices for maintenance on software is a popular way to encourage rapid migration. Steven Haines Author: The Product Manager's Desk Reference Good points on discontinuation. Other things to think about focus on the ‘de-operataionalization’ of systems. Including decommissioning product ordering and billing codes, as well as related deactivation of related accounting system elements.

Anything tangible? Think about last-time orders for parts and stocking additional documentation.

Lastly, think about pricing programs during the discontinuation cycle. Increasing prices for maintenance on software is a popular way to encourage rapid migration.

Steven Haines
Author: The Product Manager’s Desk Reference

]]> By: Adam Hazdra http://ask.goodproductmanager.com/2008/08/25/how-can-you-best-discontinue-a-product/comment-page-1/#comment-361 Adam Hazdra Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:20:01 +0000 http://ask.goodproductmanager.com/?p=73#comment-361 We were facing the same problem and I must agree with Mr. Cohen on the importance of early communication. We also uderestimated the clear communication of benefits of the new solution which resulted in misunderstanding and lack of support among our sales force. Two more thing come to my mind. First, gather all the information about the ending product (it can affect a lot of marginal places). Second, create the next product with EoL in mind (time-limited contracts, continuous innovation as product's/ customer's advantage etc.) Good luck! We were facing the same problem and I must agree with Mr. Cohen on the importance of early communication.

We also uderestimated the clear communication of benefits of the new solution which resulted in misunderstanding and lack of support among our sales force.

Two more thing come to my mind. First, gather all the information about the ending product (it can affect a lot of marginal places). Second, create the next product with EoL in mind (time-limited contracts, continuous innovation as product’s/ customer’s advantage etc.)

Good luck!

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