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Product strategy is selecting the right problems to solve and breaking them down into actionable opportunities with measurable objectives.
Let’s unpack that...
• **'Right problems**' because we must prioritise, we can't solve everything at once
• '**Problems**' not solutions, so teams have the freedom to discover solutions themselves
• '**Actionable opportunities'** so teams know what to do next
• **'Measurable objectives**' so teams focus on outcomes and can learn from results
Strategy is focus. Product strategy purposefully narrows attention to prevent distraction. By aligning limited resources toward a single focal point, we dramatically increase the odds of meaningful breakthroughs.
The purpose of Product strategy is to create clarity at the team level. It shifts conversations from "what do stakeholders want us to build?" to "how do we solve the problem we all agreed was most important?". Framing expectations as expected outcomes helps to empower teams**.**
Product Strategy as a Living Conversation
Product Breaks
Planning
**Planning** is an
• Internally-focused,
• Analytical approach
Focused on making the most of things *within* our control:
• Our People
• Time
• Resources
With the goal of optimizing for *efficiency*.
To produce some end result we think *should* achieve our internal goals.
Strategy
**Strategy**, on the other hand, is a
• Client-centric,
• Creative
• Problem-solving framework
Focused on making choices to influence something *out* of our control:
**Customer behavior**
With the goal of optimizing for *effectiveness*.
In ways that mean success both for *our clients*, as well as for *our business.*
Starting With Planning Is the Best Way to Sabotage Your Product – Do This Instead
Mike Goitein
As there are many more users, proper segmentation is crucial—you should talk to those users that your idea is targeted at. You should regularly conduct interviews, usability tests, and field research. It’s very hard to develop high-impact products without those.
Evidence-Guided
Itamar Gilad
...catch up on these, and many more highlights
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