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description: Layer features into must-haves, differentiators, and delighters for prioritization
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# Feature Priority Pyramid

Organize features into three layers — Foundation, Differentiators, Delighters — to ensure basics are solid before investing in delight.

## Steps

1. List all candidate features and requirements.
2. Classify each as **Foundation** (must-have, table stakes — users leave without these), **Differentiator** (competitive advantage — why users choose you), or **Delighter** (unexpected value — why users love and recommend you).
3. Validate that all Foundation items are fully addressed before allocating resources to upper layers.
4. Within each layer, rank by effort-to-impact ratio.
5. Build the roadmap bottom-up: Foundation first, then Differentiators, then Delighters.

## Output Format

Three-tier feature list with classification rationale, priority rank within each tier, and a phased roadmap showing build order.