Strategy: Understand · Core
Agree the scope, sponsor and decision the strategy supports
A strategy needs a clear question, an owner and someone senior who will act on it. Agree these first, so the work leads to a decision rather than a document.
About 1-3 daysEvergreenLast reviewed 5 November 2026
Who this applies to
- Skills it builds
- Strategy and visionCommunication and influence
- 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)
- Write down the question the strategy must answer, in one sentence.
- Name the sponsor: the senior person who will decide and back it.
- Agree what is in scope and what is not, such as which products or markets.
- Agree when the decision is needed and who must be involved.
- Share this on one page and get the sponsor to agree it.
Intermediate (1 to 4 years)
- Frame the strategy around a real decision, such as where to invest next year.
- Agree decision rights: who decides, who advises and who is told.
- Set a timebox so the work doesn't drift.
Experienced (5+ years)
- Link the mandate to company goals and the budget cycle.
- Spot conflicting mandates across teams and resolve them early.
- Agree how the strategy will be reviewed and refreshed.
Who can do this
Owner: Product manager
Can be delegated to
- Delivery Manager: Set up the timeline and meetings
Reviewed by: Senior leader / sponsor
Tool examples
- Confluence
- Write the one-page mandate and link it from the strategy space.
- Notion
- Keep the mandate as the first page of the strategy workspace.
Definition of done
- Strategy question written
- Sponsor named and agreed
- Scope and deadline agreed
Common pitfalls
- Starting without a sponsor
- A question too broad to answer
- No date for the decision