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Strategic Product Develeopment with Ervolution
Strategic Product Development with Evolution (SPE) is a methodology for the structured derivation of product requirements. It systematically defines all levels of the Product Vision Pyramid (vision, mission, strategy, roadmap and requirements) and keeps them up to date.
WHAT does the SPE do?
By focusing on trends, forecasts and measurable facts, the SPE improves the prospects of success for your product.
By systematically deriving and documenting the Product Vision Pyramid, everyone involved focuses on the same goals. As a result, they are achieved much faster.
Thanks to the iterative approach of the SPE, you can react to changes in good time.
The SPE complements your process model and can be easily integrated (e.g. by using OKRs).
WHY do I need the SPE?
The analysis of numerous product developments has shown that almost all companies do not exploit the potential of systematic strategic product development. This often has fatal consequences for the success of their products. The top 3 include:
Scope Creep
Over time, more and more product requirements are implemented that do not contribute to the strategic goals of your product. As a result, the company loses significant investment.
Lack of focus
The goals of employees, teams and other organizational units are not congruent. Significant performance potential remains unused.
Disruption
The world is constantly changing. Without updating your strategies, your product will become outdated prematurely. It may even become obsolete.
HOW can we use the SPE?
With the following four SPE steps, we will work together to find the best strategy for your product or service.
In a free-of-charge preliminary session, we determine the potential of strategic product development with Ervolution for your company.
A delta analysis is used to determine the current status of your product strategy, identify gaps in the SPE and prepare the structure of the product vision pyramid.
The levels of the product vision pyramid are derived top-down in several workshops. After each workshop, the results are documented and the necessary research is carried out.
The results of the workshops can now be incorporated into product development, marketing, sales and other areas of the company. Ervolution supports you here as well as with the integration into the development process and the iterative updating of the product vision pyramid.
WHEN do we start?
The best time is right now. Arrange an initial meeting to discuss everything else.
FAQ
How does your approach differ from that of other strategy consultancies?
The SPE focuses more on the product, less on the company in general. One of the most important differences is the much broader vision. It is the basis for recognizing disruptive developments and discovering new opportunities. Other significant differences arise from the referential structure of the pyramid, which allows you to focus more on the most important goals. Last but not least, the SPE, with its iterative approach, can be seamlessly integrated into agile product development.
What information do you need for the analysis?
Sources vary greatly from company to company in terms of title, content and level of detail. They are therefore identified in the preliminary discussion. Typical information is the vision and mission statement, the business model, SWOT analyses carried out, documented strategies or strategic goals, product information, existing roadmaps and the product backlog.
How are the individual levels developed? Why top-down?
The pyramid is built top-down to consistently align the requirements with the vision, mission, strategies and goals of the roadmap.
Vision
The vision is generated from the forecast of the long-term development of the product environment. Trends and measurable developments from the past play an important role here.
Mission
The vision established with SPE results in several options for your mission. In one of the workshops, we select one and develop it relatively quickly into a powerful mission statement.
Strategy
Through a consistently open and honest discussion, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks for your product are brought to the table and prioritized. Strategies are then derived from these using the SPE system to fulfill the set mission.
Roadmap
Concrete, measurable goals are then derived from the strategies that have been selected. Once they have been qualified, they are placed on a roadmap. There are several methods to choose from for this. The best one for your company can be discussed in the preliminary meeting.
Requirements
In the final step the existing and newly identified requirements are referenced to the objectives of the roadmap and ranked to reflect the order of the objectives.
How many workshops are needed?
The number of workshops required depends, among other things, on the current status of the product strategy and the complexity of the product. An initial estimate can be given after a preliminary discussion.
How do SAFe and other agile methods fit in with your approach?
The initial creation of the Product Vision Pyramid based on the SPE can be used directly for conventional projects and organizations. It is also integrated into agile product development with Ervolution. It can also be easily embedded in larger agile organizations. SAFe already has approaches in the form of the portfolio vision, which are complemented by the SPE.
Isn’t SWOT a bit “old school” and something for PowerPoint slides shows?
A clear No! A consistent application of the SWOT analysis, in particular the derivation of strategies, is a very effective method of identifying the right strategies. Unfortunately, it is often only carried out superficially and usually ends with the identification of obvious strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks. At this point, it is really nothing more than a PowerPoint slide. The real value lies in the sometimes painful examination of the points identified and the derivation of strategies from these findings.
Do not hesitate to ask further questions.