What Startups Need to Learn From Navigation Maps

I have found myself giving the Navigation Maps analogy very often, hence I thought let me capture my thoughts in this article.

In the startup world, I have often come across situations where the teams start the execution process in a hurry without thinking through the possible scenarios, hiccups, deviations, resource requirement, overall objective, end product /marketing/engagement framework etc. On the other hand, the corporate world probably suffers from exactly the opposite, where it is a lot of planning but less focus on execution.

So you may wonder, what is the optimum way to proceed with the planning and execution framework in the startup world?

Let's learn from the Navigation Map product. Whether you are driving or walking or taking public transport, you may have found yourself relying a lot on your navigation map app. The advantages of using the navigation map are:

1. Best route suggestions in terms of time and distance
2. Possible traffic snarls/roadblocks and suggested deviations
3. An estimate of arrival time at the destination
4. An option to add multiple destinations and order them accordingly
5. Satellite view of the destination
6. Overall, giving you options to save your time & effort and plan your journey effectively taking into consideration all the possible variables

So how does the above apply to your startup workflow, whether in product development or marketing?

Let's say before you even start your execution work on Product/Marketing/Strategy etc, you create your Startup's Navigation Map (or Playbook) that can include the following:

1. The Problem & Solution Statement
2. Market Size, Audience Segments, Industry Players and Firm Objectives
3. The Business Model
4. The Product, features and top unique selling propositions
5. Forecast: Business Objectives for both short and long term, preferably WOW, MOM, QOQ and YOY numbers
6. Use of available funds for the above
7. Product, Marketing, Customer Operations Strategy and Framework
8. Possible Scenarios in overall operations, both good and bad, with a clear input on what is to be done when the firm encounters specific scenarios (accounting for all the possible deviations visible before starting the execution process)
9. A clear view of the Product at the destination, that would help in working backwards on product development
10. A clear list of activities from the start to end development of Product/Marketing/Operations, with associated timelines and individuals/teams responsible for each item
11. Overall timeline for product/marketing/operations launch

I believe that it is important to focus and outline the above-mentioned items before you start your execution flow as it would give you a solid foundation and create a clear reference point at the time while executing. If you start driving without setting up your Navigation Map then, for all you know, you may hit a roadblock in between or reach a different destination to find yourself in an alienated area altogether.

The Navigation Map is in your hands!