Diagnose the Current State
Diagnosing the current state involves a comprehensive analysis of the challenges preventing the product from achieving its strategic goals.
Goal
The goal is to gain a clear understanding of where the product stands in relation to its market, competition, and internal capabilities, providing a foundation for informed strategic planning and improvement initiatives.
Context
Strategies are often just a collection of ambitious goals but without an understanding of the current state, it's hard to know what needs to be done to achieve those goals. A good diagnosis simplifies the often overwhelming complexity of reality down to a simpler story by identifying certain aspects of the situation as critical which enables the team to focus on what matters most.
Inputs
| Artifact | Description |
|---|---|
| Product Performance Data | Data on the performance of the product, including usage, engagement, and customer satisfaction. |
| Market Insights | Insights from the analysis of the market and the competitive landscape. |
| SWOT Analysis | Identifying the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats related to competitors to evaluate competitive advantages and vulnerabilities. |
| Market Positioning Mapping | Visualising the market positions of different competitors based on various dimensions such as price level, quality, or feature set to identify market gaps and saturation points. |
Outputs
| Artifact | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis Statement | A concise summary of the current state of the product, highlighting key challenges and opportunities, often uses a metaphor, analogy, or an existing accepted framework to make it simple and understandable. | Provides a clear and concise overview of the current state, enabling stakeholders to align on the key challenges and opportunities. |
Anti-patterns
- Ignoring external factors: Focusing solely on internal operations without considering market dynamics and competitor movements.