Good vs. great product strategy

A good product strategy is a well-articulated sequence of steps explaining how a team will achieve a goal. The logic is sound — it goes after goals that are valuable, leans into the organization’s superpowers, and leverages unique strengths. Something customers want, that the team can uniquely deliver, that builds on what they already do well. But a good product strategy is still just something on paper. It becomes great only when it meets the market. When it’s tested with customers, sharpened by reality, and forced to confront what’s actually true versus what was assumed. That contact is what brings it to life. Until then, it’s a thesis. A good thesis is a good thing — but it does not a strategy make.