The Essence Test

Paul Buchheit, reflecting on launching Gmail, gives a builder's rule: "Pick three key attributes or features, get those things very, very right, and then forget about everything else."

The original iPod was small enough to pocket, held hours of music, and synced easily with a Mac — no wireless, no on-device playlist editing, nothing but the essentials, well executed.

Gmail launched the same way: fast, stored all your mail, conversation-and-search interface. The address book was built in two days and did almost nothing. Secondary features can always come later, but "if the basic product isn't compelling, adding more features won't save it." Constraining the first version to a few core features is what forces you to find the true essence and value of the product.