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name: playing-to-win description: Use when defining long-term product strategy, when needing to pivot from horizontal to vertical focus, or when teams struggle with prioritization due to serving too many use cases

Playing to Win Framework

Overview

A strategic framework to create focus by making an integrated set of choices about where the product will compete and how it will succeed, rather than trying to be everything to everyone.

Core principle: Strategy is an integrated set of choices, not a list of goals.

The Four Steps

Copy┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  1. DEFINE WINNING ASPIRATION                                   │
│     What does "winning" look like for us?                       │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  2. CHOOSE WHERE TO PLAY                                        │
│     Markets / Segments / Personas                               │
│     Be SPECIFIC (not "everyone")                                │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  3. DETERMINE HOW TO WIN                                        │
│     Value proposition / Differentiation                         │
│     What makes us win in that market?                           │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  4. EXECUTE                                                     │
│     Build capabilities and systems                              │
│     Align team around choices                                   │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Key Principles

Common Mistakes

• Skipping "Where to Play" and building for everyone
• Building features for every user type
• Strategy = goal list rather than integrated choices

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Source: Annie Pearl (Calendly CPO) via Lenny's Podcast