A Three-Step Framework For Solving Problems 👌
Jun 2019
Three to five strong data points backing your problem statement are far better than a dozen tangentially related ones. Too much evidence often signals weakness—you're filling gaps with minor, unrelated data points. Play devil's advocate with yourself to identify what's actually missing from your case.
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What Seven Years at Airbnb Taught Me About Building a Business
Jun 2019Simple projects with vague problem statements circle for weeks; complex projects with strong problem statements sail smoothly. Crystallizing the problem you're solving is the single most important step before solving anything. Misalignment on the problem is invisible waste.
A Three-Step Framework For Solving Problems 👌
Jun 2019Resist the urge to jump to a solution early. A strong problem statement references an unfulfilled need, includes both what and why, is focused enough for one team to own, and can be expressed in a single sentence. The more you need to explain it, the less clear the problem actually is.
Jackie Bavaro on getting better at product strategy, what exactly is strategy, PM pitfalls to avoid, advancing your career, getting into management, and much more
Jun 2022The only way to discover what's missing from your strategy is by communicating it repeatedly and paying close attention to where people seem confused. People hide their confusion, so you must listen actively for unstated assumptions and missing logical connections that prevent others from following your reasoning.
Where Great Product Roadmap Ideas Come From
Jun 2019Direct customer conversations beat large brainstorms for generating breakthrough ideas. The closer you are to actual user problems—whether through direct talks, observing behavior, or using the product yourself—the better your roadmap ideas become. Scale of input matters less than quality of signal.
The Power of Performance Reviews: Use This System to Become a Better Manager 🤝
Jul 2019An individual will have just as much impact (if not more) on an organization if they flex what they are really good at, instead of just trying to improve on areas they're struggling with. Research shows focusing on strengths is much more effective than obsessing over weaknesses.
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