InsideSpin.com

After you release your software how do you find out if its been successful or not? What methods do you use to gather your information? What kind of questions do you ask?

I think the answer varies for sure, but here are some that I like:
1. Is the complete set of product functionality actually being used? Some products launch on a bunch of features but many are not actually valuable (just hype). If you create a product that people end up fully using, you have a really big success (and probably a really big support issue at the start )

2. Do customers call up or participate in requests for feedback? This indicates real interest in the product and its future. You have a good product if people care about what happens to it.

3. Are competitors starting to use your buzz words, key phrases and other go to market components to sell their competing solutions? It means you have a serious offering that threatens their success -- be proud of this and work to stay a few steps ahead of them -- let them use your old messaging while you use new stuff, setting trends.

4. Do users attend training, help others with the product on forums, etc? If so, you have a successful product overall.

Here are just a few. Revenue is not on the list because it tends to be a consequence of the items above, but obviously it is a key measure.