An overview of feature parity

Feature parity is a crucial concept in product management, especially during the migration of products from older systems to newer ones, as exemplified by the transition from Comet to Backstage at Zalando. It involves ensuring that a new product version maintains the same features as the existing one to prevent disruptions in user experience, reduce the support burden, and maintain market competitiveness. However, it is essential to recognize situations where feature parity may not be necessary, such as when certain features are rarely used, due to technical constraints, or when user needs have evolved over time. Achieving feature parity requires a systematic approach, including extensive user research, iterative development, regular retrospectives, and effective documentation, to prioritize and build the right features. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding user needs, resource allocation, and the potential of AI in automating smaller tasks to optimize the process of reaching feature parity.