Stack-Ranker is a simple web app designed to help users prioritize any list of items. By presenting two items at a time and asking users to choose which is more important, it uses a sorting algorithm similar to merge sort to efficiently generate a ranked list. The resulting prioritized list can be copied or saved for later, and the tool offers the ability to import lists and randomize order for unbiased comparisons. It's pitched as a lightweight, no-frills solution for quickly prioritizing anything from tasks and features to movies and books.
Mastering the art of saying "no" as a product manager is crucial for focusing on impactful work and avoiding feature creep. It involves strategically prioritizing tasks, aligning with overall product vision, and gracefully declining requests that don't contribute to that vision. This requires clear communication, explaining the rationale behind decisions, and offering alternative solutions when possible. Ultimately, saying "no" effectively allows product managers to protect their roadmap, manage stakeholder expectations, and deliver a more valuable product.
HN commenters largely agree with the article's premise of strategically saying "no" as a product manager. Several share personal anecdotes reinforcing the importance of protecting engineering resources and focusing on core value propositions. Some discuss the nuances of saying "no," emphasizing the need to explain the reasoning clearly and offer alternative solutions where possible. A few commenters caution against overusing "no," highlighting the importance of maintaining positive relationships and remaining open to new ideas. The most compelling comments focus on the strategic framing of "no" as a tool for prioritization and resource allocation, not simply rejection. They emphasize using data and clear communication to justify decisions and build consensus. One commenter aptly summarizes this as "saying 'no' to the idea, but 'yes' to the person."
Summary of Comments ( 18 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43171334
HN users generally expressed skepticism about the "stack ranking" method proposed by the website. Several commenters pointed out that simply making lists and prioritizing items isn't novel and questioned the value proposition of the tool. Some suggested existing methods like spreadsheets or even pen and paper were sufficient. There was a discussion around the potential for overthinking prioritization and the importance of actually taking action. The lack of a clear use case beyond basic list-making was a common criticism, with some users wondering how the tool handled more complex prioritization scenarios. Several users also expressed concerns about the website's design and UI.
The Hacker News post "Show HN: Prioritize Anything with Stacks" at https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43171334 generated several comments discussing the presented stack-based prioritization tool.
Several users expressed skepticism about the practicality and usefulness of the tool. One commenter questioned its value proposition compared to existing, more established methods like spreadsheets or even simpler pen-and-paper lists. They argued that the learning curve for a new tool might outweigh its benefits, especially for straightforward prioritization tasks. Another echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the proposed method added unnecessary complexity to a simple problem. They pointed out that a basic ranked list achieves the same outcome without the overhead of learning a new system.
Other commenters raised concerns about the tool's limited functionality and lack of features found in more mature applications. For example, one comment mentioned the absence of tagging or filtering options, highlighting the limitations of using simple stacks for more complex projects or contexts with many items to prioritize.
Several comments focused on the specific stack-based methodology. Some users found the concept intriguing, while others questioned its effectiveness in real-world scenarios. One commenter suggested that the stack metaphor might be visually appealing but could lead to suboptimal prioritization decisions compared to approaches that consider dependencies or other factors beyond simple ranking.
Some commenters offered constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement. One user proposed adding features like drag-and-drop functionality, keyboard shortcuts, and the ability to save and load lists. Another suggested integrating the tool with existing platforms like Trello or Jira.
A few commenters expressed interest in the underlying technology and implementation of the tool, inquiring about the programming language used and the potential for open-sourcing the code.
Finally, a few commenters shared their personal experiences with similar prioritization methods or tools, offering alternative solutions and sparking a discussion about the various approaches to task management and prioritization. This exchange included references to other software and techniques, providing a broader context for the submitted stack-based tool.