Product Strategist

Product Strategist

Strategic toolkit for Head of Product to drive vision, alignment, and organizational excellence.

Table of Contents

• Quick Start
• Core Capabilities
• Workflow: Strategic Planning Session
• OKR Cascade Generator
  • Usage
  • Configuration Options
  • Input/Output Examples
• Reference Documents

Clarify First

Before generating the OKRs or analysis, confirm these inputs. If any is unknown or vague, ASK — do not assume:

• Strategy type — growth, retention, revenue, innovation, or operational (selects the OKR template and objectives)
• Current and target metrics — e.g. MAU 100k→150k, NPS 40→60 (drives measurable key results)
• Team structure — the teams receiving cascaded OKRs (drives the cascade and balance scoring)

Stop rule: ask only the 2-3 that most change the output. If the user says "just draft it," proceed and list your assumptions at the top of the artifact.

Quick Start

Generate OKRs for Your Team

# Growth strategy with default teams
python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py growth

# Retention strategy with custom teams
python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py retention --teams "Engineering,Design,Data"

# Revenue strategy with 40% product contribution
python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py revenue --contribution 0.4

# Export as JSON for integration
python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py growth --json > okrs.json

Core Capabilities

Workflow: Strategic Planning Session

A step-by-step guide for running a quarterly strategic planning session.

Step 1: Define Strategic Focus

Choose the primary strategy type based on company priorities:

See references/strategy_types.md for detailed guidance on each strategy.

Step 2: Gather Input Metrics

Collect current state metrics to inform OKR targets:

# Example metrics JSON
{
  "current": 100000,      # Current MAU
  "target": 150000,       # Target MAU
  "current_nps": 40,      # Current NPS
  "target_nps": 60        # Target NPS
}

Step 3: Configure Team Structure

Define the teams that will receive cascaded OKRs:

# Default teams
python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py growth

# Custom teams for your organization
python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py growth --teams "Core,Platform,Mobile,AI"

Step 4: Generate OKR Cascade

Run the generator to create aligned OKRs:

python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py growth --contribution 0.3

Step 5: Review Alignment Scores

Check the alignment scores in the output:

Step 6: Refine and Validate

Before finalizing:

• Review generated objectives with stakeholders
• Adjust team assignments based on capacity
• Validate contribution percentages are realistic
• Ensure no conflicting objectives across teams
• Set up tracking cadence (bi-weekly check-ins)

Step 7: Export and Track

Export OKRs for your tracking system:

# JSON for tools like Lattice, Ally, Workboard
python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py growth --json > q1_okrs.json

PESTEL Analysis Framework

Evaluate macro-environment forces that impact product strategy. PESTEL is a decision lens, not a checklist -- use it to inform roadmap decisions, identify threats before they materialize, and spot opportunities competitors miss.

When to Use

• Annual/quarterly strategic planning sessions.
• Entering a new market or geography.
• Evaluating regulatory or economic changes that affect your product.
• Pre-investment analysis for new product lines.

PESTEL Template

## PESTEL Analysis

**Product/Company:** [Name]
**Analysis Purpose:** [Decision this analysis informs]
**Time Horizon:** [e.g., 12 months, 3 years]
**Geography/Scope:** [e.g., US, EU, Global]

### 1. Political Factors
| Factor | Impact | Opp/Threat | Product Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government policies | | | |
| Political stability | | | |
| Trade regulations | | | |
| Taxation policy | | | |

### 2. Economic Factors
| Factor | Impact | Opp/Threat | Product Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economic growth | | | |
| Inflation rate | | | |
| Exchange rates | | | |
| Consumer spending | | | |

### 3. Social Factors
| Factor | Impact | Opp/Threat | Product Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographics | | | |
| Cultural trends | | | |
| Lifestyle changes | | | |
| Consumer attitudes | | | |

### 4. Technological Factors
| Factor | Impact | Opp/Threat | Product Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tech advancements | | | |
| R&D activity | | | |
| Automation | | | |
| Digital transformation | | | |

### 5. Environmental Factors
| Factor | Impact | Opp/Threat | Product Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate change | | | |
| Sustainability | | | |
| Resource scarcity | | | |
| Environmental regs | | | |

### 6. Legal Factors
| Factor | Impact | Opp/Threat | Product Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compliance requirements | | | |
| IP rights | | | |
| Employment laws | | | |
| Health & safety regs | | | |

### Strategic Synthesis
- **Top 3 Opportunities:** [List]
- **Top 3 Threats:** [List]
- **Strategic Implications for Product:** [List]

### Assumptions to Validate
- [Assumption 1]
- [Assumption 2]

Next Steps After PESTEL

1. Generate a mitigation and monitoring plan (Recommended)
2. Convert into a one-page executive risk brief
3. Generate scenario planning for best/base/worst case
4. Map top threats into roadmap guardrails

TAM-SAM-SOM Market Sizing

Estimate market size for product opportunities using Total Addressable Market, Serviceable Available Market, and Serviceable Obtainable Market analysis.

When to Use

• Evaluating new product or feature investment.
• Preparing investor or board presentations.
• Comparing market opportunities across product lines.
• Go-to-market planning and resource allocation.

Market Sizing Framework

Step 1: Define the Problem Space

Describe the problem your product solves. Be specific about the job-to-be-done, not the product category.

Step 2: Define Geographic Scope

Specify the geographic region (e.g., US, Europe, Global) and relevant data sources:

Step 3: Identify Industry Segments

What specific industry or market segments does this problem relate to?

Step 4: Define Customer Profile

Who are the potential customers? Define by problem characteristics, not demographics.

TAM-SAM-SOM Template

## Market Sizing Analysis

**Problem Space:** [Description]
**Geographic Region:** [Scope]
**Industry Segments:** [Relevant segments]
**Customer Profile:** [Who is affected]

### Total Addressable Market (TAM)
- **Description:** The total market demand for the problem space
- **Population Estimate:** [Number of potential users/organizations]
- **Market Size Estimate:** $[Annual revenue opportunity]
- **Methodology:** [Top-down from industry reports / Bottom-up from customer count]
- **Data Sources:** [List sources]

### Serviceable Available Market (SAM)
- **Segment of TAM:** [The portion you can realistically serve]
- **Filters Applied:** [Geography, segment, capability constraints]
- **Population Estimate:** [Number]
- **Market Size Estimate:** $[Amount]
- **SAM as % of TAM:** [Percentage]

### Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM)
- **Realistically Capturable:** [What you can win in 1-3 years]
- **Competitive Position:** [Your share vs. alternatives]
- **Population Estimate:** [Number]
- **Market Size Estimate:** $[Amount]
- **SOM as % of SAM:** [Percentage]

### Assumptions & Risks
- [Key assumption about market size]
- [Key assumption about capture rate]
- [Risk that could shrink the market]

Market Sizing Tips

• Top-down: Start from industry reports, narrow by filters. Good for ballpark estimates.
• Bottom-up: Count potential customers, multiply by expected revenue per customer. More credible for investors.
• Triangulate: Use both methods and reconcile. Significant gaps indicate wrong assumptions.
• SOM is typically 1-5% of SAM for startups, 10-20% for established companies in year 1.

OKR Cascade Generator

Automatically cascades company OKRs down to product and team levels with alignment tracking.

Usage

python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py [strategy] [options]

Strategies:

• growth - User acquisition and market expansion
• retention - Customer value and churn reduction
• revenue - Revenue growth and monetization
• innovation - Product differentiation and leadership
• operational - Efficiency and organizational excellence

Configuration Options

Examples:

# Custom teams
python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py retention \
  --teams "Engineering,Design,Data,Growth"

# Higher product contribution
python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py revenue --contribution 0.4

# Full customization
python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py innovation \
  --teams "Core,Platform,ML" \
  --contribution 0.5 \
  --json

Input/Output Examples

Example 1: Growth Strategy (Dashboard Output)

Command:

python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py growth

Output:

============================================================
OKR CASCADE DASHBOARD
Quarter: Q1 2025
Strategy: GROWTH
Teams: Growth, Platform, Mobile, Data
Product Contribution: 30%
============================================================

🏢 COMPANY OKRS

📌 CO-1: Accelerate user acquisition and market expansion
   └─ CO-1-KR1: Increase MAU from 100000 to 150000
   └─ CO-1-KR2: Achieve 150000% MoM growth rate
   └─ CO-1-KR3: Expand to 150000 new markets

📌 CO-2: Achieve product-market fit in new segments
   └─ CO-2-KR1: Reduce CAC by 150000%
   └─ CO-2-KR2: Improve activation rate to 150000%
   └─ CO-2-KR3: Increase MAU from 100000 to 150000

📌 CO-3: Build sustainable growth engine
   └─ CO-3-KR1: Achieve 150000% MoM growth rate
   └─ CO-3-KR2: Expand to 150000 new markets
   └─ CO-3-KR3: Reduce CAC by 150000%

🚀 PRODUCT OKRS

📌 PO-1: Build viral product features and market expansion
   ↳ Supports: CO-1
   └─ PO-1-KR1: Increase product MAU from 100000 to 45000.0
   └─ PO-1-KR2: Achieve 45000.0% feature adoption rate

📌 PO-2: Validate product hypotheses in new segments
   ↳ Supports: CO-2
   └─ PO-2-KR1: Reduce product onboarding efficiency by 45000.0%
   └─ PO-2-KR2: Improve activation rate to 45000.0%

📌 PO-3: Create product-led growth loops engine
   ↳ Supports: CO-3
   └─ PO-3-KR1: Achieve 45000.0% feature adoption rate
   └─ PO-3-KR2: Expand to 45000.0 new markets

👥 TEAM OKRS

Growth Team:
  📌 GRO-1: Build viral product features through acquisition and activation
     └─ GRO-1-KR1: [Growth] Increase product MAU from 100000 to 11250.0
     └─ GRO-1-KR2: [Growth] Achieve 11250.0% feature adoption rate

Platform Team:
  📌 PLA-1: Build viral product features through infrastructure and reliability
     └─ PLA-1-KR1: [Platform] Increase product MAU from 100000 to 11250.0
     └─ PLA-1-KR2: [Platform] Achieve 11250.0% feature adoption rate


📊 ALIGNMENT MATRIX

Company → Product → Teams
----------------------------------------

CO-1
  ├─ PO-1
    └─ GRO-1 (Growth)
    └─ PLA-1 (Platform)

CO-2
  ├─ PO-2

CO-3
  ├─ PO-3


🎯 ALIGNMENT SCORES
----------------------------------------
✓ Vertical Alignment: 100.0%
! Horizontal Alignment: 75.0%
✓ Coverage: 100.0%
✓ Balance: 97.5%
✓ Overall: 94.0%

✅ Overall alignment is GOOD (≥80%)

Example 2: JSON Output

Command:

python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py retention --json

Output (truncated):

{
  "quarter": "Q1 2025",
  "strategy": "retention",
  "company": {
    "level": "Company",
    "objectives": [
      {
        "id": "CO-1",
        "title": "Create lasting customer value and loyalty",
        "owner": "CEO",
        "key_results": [
          {
            "id": "CO-1-KR1",
            "title": "Improve retention from 100000% to 150000%",
            "current": 100000,
            "target": 150000
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "product": {
    "level": "Product",
    "contribution": 0.3,
    "objectives": [...]
  },
  "teams": [...],
  "alignment_scores": {
    "vertical_alignment": 100.0,
    "horizontal_alignment": 75.0,
    "coverage": 100.0,
    "balance": 97.5,
    "overall": 94.0
  },
  "config": {
    "teams": ["Growth", "Platform", "Mobile", "Data"],
    "product_contribution": 0.3
  }
}

See references/examples/sample_growth_okrs.json for a complete example.

Reference Documents

Best Practices

OKR Cascade

• Limit to 3-5 objectives per level
• Each objective should have 3-5 key results
• Key results must be measurable with current and target values
• Validate parent-child relationships before finalizing

Alignment Scoring

• Target >80% overall alignment
• Investigate any score below 60%
• Balance scores ensure no team is overloaded
• Horizontal alignment prevents conflicting goals

Team Configuration

• Configure teams to match your actual org structure
• Adjust contribution percentages based on team size
• Platform/Infrastructure teams often support all objectives
• Specialized teams (ML, Data) may only support relevant objectives

Quick Reference

# Common commands
python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py growth               # Default growth
python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py retention            # Retention focus
python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py revenue -c 0.4       # 40% contribution
python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py growth --json        # JSON export
python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py growth -t "A,B,C"    # Custom teams

Tool Reference

okr_cascade_generator.py

Generates aligned OKRs from company strategy down to product and team levels with alignment scoring.

Alignment scores generated:

• Vertical alignment: How well each level supports the level above (target: >90%)
• Horizontal alignment: How well teams coordinate with each other (target: >75%)
• Coverage: What percentage of company OKRs are addressed by product (target: >80%)
• Balance: Whether work is evenly distributed across teams (target: >80%)
• Overall: Weighted composite score (target: >80%)

python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py growth
python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py retention --teams "Engineering,Design,Data,Growth"
python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py revenue --contribution 0.4 --json
python scripts/okr_cascade_generator.py innovation --metrics '{"current": 50000, "target": 100000}'

Troubleshooting

Success Criteria

Scope & Limitations

In scope:

• Company-to-team OKR cascade generation
• Five strategy templates (growth, retention, revenue, innovation, operational)
• Alignment scoring across vertical and horizontal dimensions
• Custom team structure configuration
• Contribution percentage modeling
• JSON export for OKR tracking tools

Out of scope:

• OKR progress tracking over time (use Lattice, Ally, or Workboard)
• Automated metric collection (connect to analytics platforms)
• Individual contributor OKR generation
• Cross-functional OKRs beyond product (sales, marketing, etc.)
• Historical OKR analysis and trend reporting
• Board-level strategic planning frameworks

Integration Points