Product Strategy Canvas
Creating a product strategy is a job that most product folk do quite rarely, often under pressure and with not enough time.
Because PMs don't create strategies regularly, many of them aren't natural at the process, so when we need to create one, there’s a good chance we freeze. When we recover from the foetal position, we wonder, “where on earth do I start?”
Enter the Product Strategy Canvas: a tool designed to be repeatable, flexible, and lightweight. Drawing inspiration from various successful models, we aimed to simplify the intricate process of strategy creation, catering to those who find it daunting or simply lack time.
We're mindful that one size doesn't fit all. This might be a lot to wrap your head around for junior product professionals or those just starting out in product management. Having said that, knock yourself out and give it a go. If nothing else, you’ll learn a lot. For seasoned directors of product, CPOs, or experienced strategists, you likely have your own approach, but there might be something useful here for you as well.
By streamlining the process and focusing on three critical areas (the state of the business, market and product), you can concentrate on the substance of your strategy and the collaboration it demands.
The canvas serves as a beacon, lifting you from the quagmire of your backlog to provide a clear view of the bigger picture, enabling you to chart a strategic course for your product.
The Product Strategy canvas is a MIRO template that helps product leaders craft a product strategy by following a step-by-step process of gathering data and then using that data to articulate key focus areas that help inform goals, roadmaps, and plans.
This canvas is ideal for Product Managers and Product leaders who wish to follow a repeatable process in order to gather the insights needed to make difficult prioritisation decisions in the form of a Product strategy. This is helpful when you're low on time, do this process rarely and/or wish to approach it collaboratively.
We’ve tested and iterated our canvas with clients, workshop participants, and industry mates and we now proudly share the Product Strategy Canvas in Miro for free under a Creative Commons Licence.
To make the most of this canvas, create a copy and try to fill in each frame without getting stuck. If you don't know the answer, capture the name of someone who does. Once all three input frames are filled in, you should have enough insights to decide on what your team(s) will focus on, in other words, to create a product strategy.
This template was created by Brendan Marsh (Organa).
Get started with this template right now.
The Product Hunt
Works best for:
Product Management, Planning
The Product Hunt template provides a platform for collecting and prioritizing product ideas. By allowing teams to submit, review, and vote on ideas, this template fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. With features for categorizing ideas, tracking progress, and celebrating successes, it promotes transparency and engagement across teams. This template serves as a central hub for capturing and nurturing innovative ideas, driving continuous improvement and product innovation.
Product Ops Canvas
Works best for:
Product Management, Planning
The Product Ops Canvas template helps product managers align product strategies with operational capabilities. By mapping out key operational processes, tools, and metrics, this template fosters alignment between product and operational teams. With sections for identifying bottlenecks and optimizing workflows, it supports continuous improvement in product operations. This template serves as a guide for driving efficiency and scalability in product management processes, enabling teams to deliver high-quality products at scale.
Scenario Planning Template
Works best for:
Planning
The Scenario Planning Template simplifies the complex process of strategizing and envisioning various future scenarios. The template’s clear structure helps teams and individuals effectively navigate the multifaceted steps of project planning and execution. A standout benefit of this template is its capability to foster structured thinking. With its distinct sections ranging from definition to action, it ensures that ideas are organized coherently, promoting logical progression and reducing the chances of oversight, making the planning process both efficient and comprehensive.
Swimlane Diagram Template
Works best for:
Flowcharts, Diagrams, Workflows
A swimlane diagram shows you which stakeholders are responsible for each area of your critical processes. You can use it to understand current processes or plan new ones.
Example Mapping Template
Works best for:
Product Management, Mapping, Diagrams
To update your product in valuable ways—to recognize problem areas, add features, and make needed improvements—you have to walk in your users’ shoes. Example mapping (or user story mapping) can give you that perspective by helping cross-functional teams identify how users behave in different situations. These user stories are ideal for helping organizations form a development plan for Sprint planning or define the minimum amount of features needed to be valuable to customers.
Retrospective
Works best for:
Retrospective, Agile Methodology, Meetings
The Retrospective template offers a versatile and adaptable framework for teams to reflect on their performance and processes. It provides elements for sharing feedback, identifying lessons learned, and brainstorming improvements. This template enables teams to foster open communication, identify opportunities for growth, and enhance collaboration. By promoting reflection and transparency, the Retrospective empowers teams to continuously learn and evolve, driving greater efficiency and effectiveness in their work.