Basics remain the same, Look at two parameters - 1) Your business stake Holder priority and 2) quick & easy to implement and get those fixed before you pickup new features. Second, apply the same logic to new features, but now add an additional parameter : 3) Check the dependency, backward and forward compatibility - from Front End, API, Interface and Backend / DB. Pickup only those features which passes all 3 conditions. Above, if your business needs something on top priority, you should fix the bug or develop the feature accordingly, with required due considerations.

Quality code is extremely important to supportability of features. If you are dealing with a lot of bugs that just means there has been compromises already made. Prioritizing additional features over the quality will make it only worse. Although there will be situations where you may have to be tactical about accommodating or completing more features, planning to ensure to come back and address the quality of code is important. Be clear on risks and communicate with stake holders to plan for hardening as needed. Test driven development is a good practice to minimize bugs.

This situation is common in application management, and this can be solved by 1) A clear approach for application teams uses a 75/25 distribution each sprint, with 75% of capacity for new features and 25% for technical backlog, emergency fixes, and unexpected absences, helping to mitigate potential issues. 2) Even if we landed at such situation in such cases, conduct a case-by-case analysis with business stakeholders to determine priorities, choose one option over the other, and create a clear plan for prioritizing the second option.

As an Application Manager Specialist, I prioritize by evaluating the impact and urgency of bugs versus new features. Critical bugs that affect system stability or user experience take precedence, while features are prioritized based on business goals and user value. I maintain a balanced roadmap by dedicating specific cycles to both fixes and development, ensuring progress without compromising stability. Automated testing and proactive monitoring also help catch issues early, while transparent communication with stakeholders keeps expectations clear. This approach helps me manage tight deadlines effectively.

Asking the following five questions always helps 1. Assess the impact on the critical path—anything delaying key milestones takes precedence 2. Evaluate customer impact and reputation in the street, prioritizing issues affecting experience or trust 3. Consider executive and board interests - There may be some hot buttons 4. Weigh effort versus disruption to other critical activities in the project critical path 5. Determine if a viable workaround exists, allowing the focus to remain on the highest-value tasks. This approach ensures that resources are allocated where they drive the most significant impact.