Strategy: Diagnose · Core
Diagnose the core challenge
Good strategy names the main obstacle in the way. A clear diagnosis tells you where to focus, and stops the strategy becoming a list of goals.
About 2-5 daysEvergreenLast reviewed 5 November 2026
Who this applies to
- Skills it builds
- Strategy and visionDiscovery and research
- PM types
- All
- Product types
- All
- Starting points
- All
- Ways of working
- All
- Experience
- All
- Size of organisation
- All
Steps, by experience
Beginner (under 1 year)
- From your summary, list the problems that hold the product or company back.
- Ask which one, if solved, would make the others easier.
- Write it as a short diagnosis: what is going on and why it matters.
- Check it with two or three people who know the area well.
- Keep goals and wishes out of the diagnosis.
Intermediate (1 to 4 years)
- Look for root causes rather than symptoms.
- Test the diagnosis against evidence that could prove it wrong.
- Agree the diagnosis with the sponsor before choosing what to do.
Experienced (5+ years)
- Diagnose across products or teams, where the real challenge often sits.
- Name uncomfortable causes, such as how the organisation works.
- Use the diagnosis to rule out popular but weak options.
Who can do this
Owner: Product manager
Reviewed by: Senior leader / sponsor
Tool examples
- Miro
- Group problems and draw how they cause each other.
- Confluence
- Publish the diagnosis as a short page for comment.
Definition of done
- One core challenge named
- Diagnosis backed by evidence
- Sponsor agrees the diagnosis
Common pitfalls
- Writing goals instead of a diagnosis
- Naming too many challenges
- Avoiding the awkward cause