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Declined Feature Request

1. Introduction (For Clients & Partners)​

Not every feature request can be adopted. In some cases, an idea might be out of scope, misaligned with strategic goals, or duplicative of something we already have. When a request is declined, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s gone forever, but it does mean we’re not moving forward with development at this time. This page explains why a feature may be declined and what options you have afterward.

2. Who Is Involved​

RoleInvolvementBenefit to You
Product OwnerMakes the final call on declining a request, based on product vision and backlog priorities.Provides transparency and reason for the decision.
Support TeamCommunicates the declined decision to you, shares any applicable feedback.Ensures you’re notified promptly and understand why the feature was declined.
Dev TeamMay offer technical insights if feasibility was a concern.Confirms whether the feature was declined due to tech constraints or complexity.
You (Client/Partner)Receives feedback on the rationale, can provide more context or revisit at a later time.Has the opportunity to clarify use cases or propose alternatives.

3. Process Flow / Schema​

Here is how a feature request transitions to a declined status, using double quotes in the Mermaid diagram for clarity:

  1. Feature Request Submitted: You propose a new feature.
  2. Triage & Prioritization: It’s initially categorized and discussed (like any feature).
  3. Review by Product Owner: They check alignment with strategy, feasibility, etc.
  4. Decision to Decline: This happens if the feature is out of scope, duplicates existing functionality, has insurmountable feasibility issues, or isn’t currently aligned with business goals.
  5. Provide Feedback: We inform you of the reason(s) for declining, whether it’s strategic, technical, or otherwise.
  6. Further Action?:
    • No: The feature is closed, and we won’t reconsider unless circumstances change.
    • Yes: If you have new info or a different angle, you may resubmit later.

4. Short FAQ​

Q1: Why would my feature be declined?
A1: Common reasons include overlap with existing features, misalignment with product vision, or technical infeasibility given current constraints.

Q2: Can I challenge the decision?
A2: Absolutely. If you have additional data or use cases that might change our perspective, please share them. We’re open to revisiting declined requests if the context changes.

Q3: How do I know if my feature is truly declined vs. just deferred?
A3: A declined feature is considered closed, not on hold. A deferred feature remains in our backlog for potential reconsideration in the next cycle.

Q4: Will it ever come back if it’s declined now?
A4: Possibly. If circumstances shift (like new business opportunities or changes in the product roadmap), we may reevaluate previously declined features.

5. Next Steps & Additional Resources​

  • Feature Submission: If you have a revised idea or new justification, you can always start a fresh submission.
  • Deferred vs. Declined: Learn how a “deferred” status differs—those requests aren’t rejected, just delayed.
  • Quarterly & Annual Roadmaps: Keep track of the projects we are actively pursuing; something declined now could resurface if priorities change.
  • Contact Us: If you believe the feature was declined due to insufficient understanding, email contact+support@aismarttalk.tech or chat with our bot.

Declining a feature request is never our ideal outcome, but we want to maintain transparency about the reasoning. Our goal is to allocate resources effectively while staying open to re-evaluation when new information arises.