How do I know
where to start?
Building your product or service requires a step-change in scale and risk.
Have you done everything to ensure you have commercial certainty?
Are you solving the right problem?
☐ I have a clear picture of the context in which this problem exists, along with clarity of our organisational goals within that context.
☐ I can explain how solving this problem uniquely supports the broader strategy.
☐ I have a clear decision making model to help teams make strategic trade offs.
☐ I have clear metrics (lagging) that will indicate success.
☐ I have a business case or equivalent which will ensure resources to solve this problem.
☐ I have an executive sponsor or similar to ensure there is a voice at senior leadership.
Can’t tick them all? Start with:
Is your solution right?
☐ I have a clear product / service vision.
☐ I can discuss the supporting business model at length.
☐ I can clearly articulate why the proposed solution is better than other potential options.
☐ I have an extensive list of the assumptions that must be true, in order for this vision to work.
☐ We have tested the greatest risks in the product / service, and can discuss the behavioural evidence.
☐ I have socialised the vision beyond the intended delivery team.
☐ I have clear metrics (leading) that will indicate success.
☐ I have an adoption strategy for this initiative.
Can’t tick them all? Start with:
Do you have an appropriate approach?
☐ We have agreed on an approach for delivering this solution in the taking into consideration our goals, and context?
☐ We have identified costs to an appropriate accuracy.
☐ We understand the impact on stakeholders directly and indirectly.
☐ We have a detailed list of risks & dependencies relating to delivery / implementation. (these are different from product risks.)
☐ We have access to all the required capabilities.
☐ We have a design system to support delivery.
☐ We have an accessible artefact which communicates all of the decisions up to this point.
☐ We have we identified a team that can solve this problem together.
☐ We have explicitly made the call to continue, rather than kill, or pivot.
Can’t tick them all? Start with: