Defining the Ecosystem Strategy
Defining the ecosystem strategy involves setting a high-level plan that outlines the approach the ecosystem team will take to achieve the ecosystem vision and current business goals. It encompasses decisions about target markets, competitive positioning, value proposition, and key features or capabilities of the ecosystem.
Purpose
The purpose of the ecosystem strategy is to guide the development and marketing of the suite of products in the ecosystem by establishing clear priorities, goals, and actions that align with the broader business objectives and the ecosystem vision. It serves as a roadmap for achieving long-term success.
- Direction: Provides a clear path for product development, helping teams to focus on what’s most important.
- Alignment: Ensures that product development efforts are aligned with the business goals and market needs.
- Decision-Making: Aids in making informed decisions regarding feature prioritisation, resource allocation, and market targeting.
- Competitiveness: Enhances the ecosystem’s market positioning by clearly defining its unique value proposition and competitive advantages.
Context
Industry Context
Ecosystems often grow organically as each product, and their supporting services are developed independently to meet specific customer needs. However, this can lead to a fragmented user experience and a lack of coherence across the ecosystem. A well-defined ecosystem strategy helps to align the efforts of different product teams and ensures that the ecosystem as a whole delivers a compelling value proposition to customers.
ZeroBlockers Context
Ecosystem Teams do not build the products or even define the features to be built. They set the direction and outcomes, which are then executed by Product, Internal Product and Enabling Teams. Therefore the ecosystem strategy is essential for aligning the efforts of multiple teams and ensuring that they are all working towards a common goal.
Methods
| Method | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnose the Current State | Assessing the current state of the ecosystem and the challenges that are preventing it from achieving its full potential. | Helps in identifying areas for improvement and setting strategic goals. |
| Identify the Target Market | Assessing the market size, growth potential, competition, and other factors to determine the ecosystem’s viability. | Helps in identifying market opportunities and potential threats. |
| Determine Internal Capabilities | Evaluating the ecosystem's resources, expertise, and technology to determine the ecosystem’s unfair advantage. | Ensures alignment between the ecosystem strategy and the ecosystem’s capabilities. |
| Define the Value Proposition | A tool used to ensure the ecosystem delivers unique value to its customers, aligning with their needs and problems. | Clarifies the ecosystem’s value proposition, improving customer engagement and satisfaction. |
| Document the Ecosystem Strategy | Articulating the ecosystem’s strategic direction, target market, value proposition, and key features to achieve the ecosystem vision. | Provides guidelines for ecosystem development and marketing efforts. |
Anti-patterns
- Strategy Based on Assumptions: Relying on assumptions about the market or customer needs without validating them through research.
- Feature-Driven Strategy: Prioritising features without a clear understanding of how they contribute to the overall value proposition.
- Neglecting Competitive Landscape: Failing to consider the competitive landscape and potential threats.
