What's the best way to compare product vision statements?

Key: Evaluate clarity, inspiration, customer-centricity, and alignment with your goals. ?? Clarity: Is it easy to understand and remember? Avoid jargon or overly complex language. ?? Inspiration: Does it excite you and your team? A great vision should spark motivation. ?? Customer focus: Does it address genuine user pain points and aspirations? ?? Alignment: Does it support your company's broader goals and market strategy? ?? Differentiator: Does it clearly set your product apart from the competition? Remember: The best vision statement is the one that guides your team toward a compelling and achievable future!

Utilize a structured framework or methodology designed for evaluating product vision statements. This could involve criteria such as clarity, relevance, inspiration, consistency, and alignment with organizational goals.

A gripping moment in my product journey was "building" our framework using Lego Serious Play. It rendered team collaboration tangible and fun. While planning our vision for a new e-commerce feature, we represented unique value propositions and key metrics as Lego structures. This 3D vision board sparked creativity and sparked engaging discussions. We also devised a "Painting the Big Picture" interactive workshop. In this, every stakeholder painted their perception of our product vision. Comparing these diverse "artworks" unearthed blind spots and new perspectives, helping sync and strengthen the ultimate vision.

My favorite quote on clarity is from Steve Jobs: 'Simple can be harder than complex.' It's obvious to us, but as a Product Leader, when you have lots of jargon, dependencies, and legal aspects in mind, you tend to create more general statements. A simple trick that works for me is to 'Write it as if someone is reading it for the first time.' What feedback do you get from them? Will they remember the simple statement easily?"

Assess how clearly the product vision statement communicates the intended direction and purpose of the product. Look for concise language, absence of ambiguity, and ease of understanding for various stakeholders.

Ensure the product vision statement is clear and concise. ??? Avoid jargon and complex language. A clear vision answers: What is the product? Who is it for? What problem does it solve? How is it unique? If it’s easily understood by someone unfamiliar with the product, it’s a clear vision. ??

Evaluate the product vision statement's alignment with the needs of the target market, the organization's mission, and strategic objectives. Ensure that it addresses significant problems or opportunities that resonate with the intended audience.

Evaluate the relevance of the vision statement to your target market and stakeholders. ?? It should address a significant problem and show how the product creates value. Align it with your business goals and ensure it resonates with customer needs and expectations. ??

Determine whether the product vision statement inspires and motivates stakeholders and team members. Look for elements that ignite passion, creativity, and a sense of purpose, encouraging commitment to achieving the vision.

A great vision statement should inspire and motivate. ?? It should convey purpose and passion, making stakeholders excited about the product’s potential. Ask if it ignites curiosity and commitment. An inspiring vision drives engagement and enthusiasm. ??

Assess the consistency of the product vision statement with other organizational documents, such as mission statements, strategic plans, and brand values. Ensure alignment across various elements of the organization to maintain coherence and direction.

Check for consistency with other product documents like the strategy, roadmap, and user stories. ?? Ensure all elements support and complement each other, avoiding contradictions. A consistent vision aligns seamlessly with overall product and business objectives. ??

Solicit feedback from stakeholders, team members, and other relevant parties on the product vision statement. Consider their perspectives, suggestions, and concerns to refine and improve the statement iteratively.

Regularly review and update the vision statement based on feedback from your team, stakeholders, and customers. ?? Collect and analyze feedback to validate assumptions and discover new opportunities or issues. This iterative process keeps the vision relevant and aligned with evolving needs. ???

Comparing product vision statements is a bit like comparing guiding stars for different journeys. Each vision statement is unique and serves as a beacon for the product's direction, embodying the aspirations and core purpose of the product. However, when you're in a position to compare vision statements, either to differentiate between products or to refine your own vision.

Consider the strategic fit of the vision statement. Analyze how well it aligns with your business’s core competencies, market trends, and long-term goals. Strategic fit ensures that the vision supports sustainable growth and competitive advantage. ??