Timeline is the 3rd T of the 7Ts of Product-Led Transformation. It is difficult not to consider transformation as a large, onerous project. The word “transformation” itself suggests that a significant effect is going to be needed.
But, the Product-Led Transformation approach should be an experimental, iterative, meaningful course of action, leading towards a lasting, impactful way of operating.
How can you craft a timeline with achievable milestones and metrics to measure and guide the team to success?
It is difficult not to consider transformation as a large, onerous project. The word “transformation” itself suggests that a significant effect is going to be needed.
But, the Product-Led Transformation approach should be an experimental, iterative, meaningful course of action, leading towards a lasting, impactful way of operating.
Transformation does not need to be a big project but it does need to make a big impact (and rightly so).
A Timeline with 4 Critical Layers
The timeline should therefore have 4 enabling and empowering interconnecting layers.
Layer 1: Tactical Plan.
- List the organisational outcomes for each element of the Tactical Plan.
- Include each team’s responsibilities on the timeline to identify points of alignment and dependence between Technology, Data, Product, Design, Marketing and Sales.
- Outcome 1: 80% of our Product Teams utilise a common, established, repeatable process for Product Discovery by Q2, 2022
Layer 2: Milestones.
- Establish a number of milestones for each outcome so that the organisation can track progress.
- Milestone 1: First Product Team to use the common, established, repeatable Product Discovery Process by Q4, 2021
- Celebration 1: Milestone 1 reached on Q4, 2021
Layer 3: Experiments.
- Deliberately design a series of experiments to help the team accomplish each milestone.
- Experiment A: Create and test the DRAFT #1 Product Discovery process for small product change
- Experiment B: Update and test the DRAFT #2 Product Discovery process for the same small product change
Layer 4: Celebrations.
- Celebrating every milestone.
- Celebration A: Coffee & Cake Morning to launch the Published Product Discovery Process
By considering a Product-Led Transformation timeline in this multi-level way, the focus should be on addressing the change fatigue that often sets in during any large change initiative. Embedding the concept of adaptability and accomplishments, through experiments and celebratory milestones, the intention is to keep the program energised.
Change is uncomfortable and for most people, threatening, but for change to occur, there needs to be a sense of urgency to propel people to transition from their current state to a new, better way of operating.
We need to apply positive pressure and that according to Kotter, requires CEOs to communicate the vision by a factor of ten.
Want to improve your company’s chances of Transformation success by learning how others transformed their companies and teams using Product-Led techniques? The evidence shows that Product-Led organisations yield better financial results.
LTP DIGITAL 2022 | USA is a one day conference on March 9, 2022 that is all bout how to become one of those organisations.
SPEAKING ON TIMELINES:
Corinna Stukan
VP Product, Roam Digital
It is difficult not to consider transformation as a large, onerous project. The word “transformation” itself suggests that a significant effect is going to be needed.
Hear Corinna talk on TIMELINES and learn how to plan a product-led transformation, how long it takes, and what to expect along the journey.
