No matter the kind of product, maturity of the team, or other unique challenges, a systematic approach will provide the Visibility to what is required to move forward and a Clear Direction to move from where the product or project is to where it needs to be.

plan of action

Assess the Product Problem, Type, & Stage

Assess State of the Solution 

Assess State of the Processes & People (Including Skills, Training, Culture, Politics)

Begin with the End(s) in Mind

Align Incentives and People

philosophy

Visibility - Shine a light into the darkness 

Plan - a goal without a plan is just a wish 

Accountability - Humans only do what they are incentivized to do. Shared ownership is no ownership. 

Priority - If everything is a priority, nothing is a priority.  Alarm fatigue is a literal and figurative problem. 

Resource and Process Planning - First ask what is needed to be successful, and then evaluate the reality of resource constraints 

Business Value Streams - Everything including resources, data mappings, business vocabulary, documentation, planning, etc should be driven by clearly documented business value streams

Bring the right brains together - ask the right questions or identify a clearly defined problem 

Role Clarity matters, Who reports to whom matters, whether the teams are happy (or hate each other matters)

The structure and political/monetary/ego motives of the company at the highest levels impacts everything. To be successful, motives must be aligned at all levels.

Plan of Action

Coming Soon!

Assess the Product Problem, Type & Stage

Assess the State of the Solution, Processes, & People

Ask the Right Question - example to be adapted to the Product’s unique specifications and situation

Begin with the end in mind

Align Incentives & People