strategy-doc

Write strategy that forces hard choices. A strategy that doesn't say "no" to something isn't a strategy — it's a wish list. Strategy is not goals, not aspirations, and not a list of things you want to do. It's a coherent set of choices about where to play and how to win.

The Strategy Kernel (Richard Rumelt)

Every strategy document must contain these three elements:

1. Diagnosis

What's actually going on? Name the challenge clearly. A good diagnosis simplifies complexity by identifying the critical factors.

• "Our activation rate is 23% because new users don't understand the product's value in their first session."
• NOT: "We need to grow faster." (That's an aspiration, not a diagnosis.)

2. Guiding Policy

The overall approach for dealing with the challenge. This is the big directional bet — it rules things in AND rules things out.

• "Focus entirely on time-to-first-value for solo users before expanding to teams."
• NOT: "Improve the product across all dimensions." (That's not a choice.)