What is the process for determining development direction?

April 28, 2009 · by Jon S. von Tetzchner

What is the process for determining development direction - ie. prioritizing & selecting new features & improvements, etc. to include in Opera browser?

This happens in many different ways. There are clearly big discussions, but sometimes things just happen. Someone has a great idea, does some work on it, shows it off and it ends up in the next version. To me building a great product is like making art. The process is not always streamlined, but you need some structure as well. Too much structure will stifle innovation and creativity. You need both.

Ideas come from the teams, individuals and the Community. Anyone can have an idea. Later we test out the ideas with you. If you like it, great! If not, back to the drawing board.

Readers' comments 4

Left under the original article, as archived.

AriesptnTuesday, April 28, 2009 1:46:45 PM
skye11Tuesday, April 28, 2009 1:52:35 PM
Jon, thanks for answering my question
what I'd also like to know is...
- do you ever read the wishlist forum for ideas?
- if so, are those ideas ever considered seriously?
seems that ideas & requests in the wishlist forum seldom get implemented

thanks for giving us a fabulous browser
I Opera!
Jon S. von TetzchnerTuesday, April 28, 2009 2:02:28 PM
Skye11, yes, I do read the forum. So does the team. When I/We see something interesting, we will consider it. It happens more than you think.
skye11Tuesday, April 28, 2009 3:44:15 PM
Jon, thanks for your reply
I was very interested in this knowing this because of seeing the many constant repetative requests for the same features over & over again, and wondering if any Opera devs are reading these threads

thanks again, wishing you all the best