Who This Helps
This is for Product Managers who feel stuck in endless debate about what to build next. If your roadmap is a list of features and your team is spread thin, the Product Portfolio Strategy course gives you a clear system. It helps you size bets, sequence work, and make measurable decisions.
Mini Case
Sam’s team had 8 potential experiments. They argued for 3 weeks about which one to run first. By creating a simple portfolio map, they sized each bet. They saw that one small experiment could validate a major risk for 3 other ideas. They ran it in 5 days, got a clear ‘no’ signal, and saved 4 months of wasted effort. That’s focus.
Do This Now (5 Steps)
- Grab a whiteboard or a blank document. Title it ‘Portfolio Map’.
- List every active idea, project, and experiment. No filtering yet. Aim for at least 8 items.
- For each item, write down one sentence on the core hypothesis or risk it addresses.
- Now, give each a rough size: Small (days), Medium (weeks), or Large (months). Be brutally honest.
- Circle the one Medium or Small bet that, if it succeeds or fails, gives you the most learning for the next decision. That’s your next experiment.
Avoid These Traps
- Don’t prioritize by who is shouting the loudest. The map is your neutral referee.
- Don’t confuse ‘large’ with ‘important’. A small bet can de-risk a huge opportunity.
- Don’t skip the ‘Kill Criteria’ from the course. Define what ‘failure’ looks like before you start, so you know when to stop.
- Don’t keep everything alive. A healthy portfolio has clear stop points. Your future self will thank you.
Your Win by Friday
By Friday, you will have a one-page portfolio artifact. You’ll have moved one key experiment from ‘maybe’ to ‘running’. Your team discussion will shift from ‘what should we do?’ to ‘what did we learn?’ It’s a more fun way to work.