Rumelt's Kernel, Gibson Biddle DHM, and SWOT analysis
Great product strategy isn't about vision statements—it's about making hard choices backed by rigorous thinking. These frameworks help structure that thinking.
The clearest framework for product strategy:
| Component | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis | Define the critical challenge | "Enterprise customers churn because we lack SSO" |
| Guiding Policy | Overall approach to the challenge | "Focus on enterprise security features" |
| Coherent Actions | Specific steps that reinforce each other | "Build SSO, audit logs, data residency" |
For consumer products, evaluate features against:
Classic but effective for competitive positioning:
| Internal | External |
|---|---|
| Strengths - What we do well | Opportunities - Market gaps |
| Weaknesses - Where we struggle | Threats - Competitive risks |
@rumelt-strategy-kernel.md
Apply this framework to TaskFlow's AI strategy:
- We have 2 engineers and $50k budget for H1 2026
- Competitors (Notion, Linear, Asana) are adding AI features
- Our SMB customers want automation but are price-sensitive
Generate a diagnosis, guiding policy, and 3 coherent actions.
@rumelt-strategy-kernel.md
Apply this framework to TaskFlow's AI strategy:
- We have 2 engineers and $50k budget for H1 2026
- Competitors (Notion, Linear, Asana) are adding AI features
- Our SMB customers want automation but are price-sensitive
Generate a diagnosis, guiding policy, and 3 coherent actions.
Frameworks don't make decisions—you do. They structure your thinking so you don't miss critical angles.