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> **Step 1 — Define a strategic Narrative** > [![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_2912,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2acd340f-f972-47ad-9ce0-1a12a024591e_1920x1080.jpeg)](https://substack.com/redirect/482e2367-1599-453c-9f19-143bd9300664?j=eyJ1IjoiMm5udmwzIn0.437zjHHVMdVbzo_zKQIPOUwdpykWlG5CluMeGyzO674) > The biggest benefit of NCTs is that they provide more connective tissue between your strategy and the goals necessary to achieve that strategy. > Defining the Narrative is often the hardest part — because it forces teams to justify their work. But, this step is also the most important part. If it’s not clear what your strategy is, it doesn’t matter what your goals are. > If it’s not clear what your strategy is, it doesn’t matter what your goals are. > The Narrative is a 1-3 sentence qualitative description of what the team wants to achieve and why it matters to the business. The Narrative’s purpose is to tie the team’s immediate work to the company’s long-term strategy. A well-structured narrative will provide the strategic context and guardrails that allow individuals to make better decisions. You can do this by including the following: > • Detail on why the initiative is a priority > • Recent learnings relevant to the initiative > • Past efforts or problems with similar initiatives > • How the initiative fits into the broader product vision

How to Set and Achieve Ambitious Goals

Ravi Mehta

Many companies have invested in “transformation,” all claiming to use OKR, of course. But instead of using these investments as a way to become more outcome-driven, most organizations focus on [meeting due dates rather than outcomes](https://members.outcomeedge.com/i/143301848/you-are-also-dealing-with-weak-muscles). Often the goal is simply to do something like “move to the cloud by the end of the year.” It doesn’t matter if this project made a difference or not, only that it was completed on time.

Treat Your Company as a Product

Felipe Castro

Anytime you’re building a new system, regardless of how technically complex it might be, testing the value of the idea is the best place to start. If no one wants it, it doesn’t matter how hard or easy it is to build it.

How I Break Down Hypotheses to Make Them Easier to Test

Jeff Gothelf

...catch up on these, and many more highlights