Who This Helps
This is for you, Team Lead, when your analytics routine is humming but you're not sure which experiment to run next. You have data, you have ideas, but you need a clear way to pick the one that moves the needle. The Strategy Basics: Competitive Map course gives you a simple framework to do exactly that.
Mini Case
Meet Aisha. She leads a product team that runs weekly experiments. Last month, they ran 4 tests. Only 1 showed a real lift—a 12% increase in activation. The rest? Noise. Aisha was frustrated. She used the Competitive Map course to map where her product wins and loses against two key competitors. The map showed a clear gap: her onboarding flow was 3 steps longer than the market leader's. She prioritized an experiment to cut those steps. Result? A 7-day sprint that boosted activation by 18%. That's focus.
Do This Now (5 Steps)
- List your top 3 competitors. Not every logo in the market. Just the ones your customers compare you to most.
- Map one customer segment. Pick a wedge from the Customer Segment Wedge mission. Don't try to serve everyone.
- Build a simple grid. Use the Differentiation Grid mission. Write down where you win and where you lose for that segment.
- Find one gap. Look for a place where you're weak and a competitor is strong. That's your experiment target.
- Run one test. Pick the smallest change that could close that gap. Prioritize it over everything else this week.
Avoid These Traps
- Don't map 10 competitors. You'll drown in noise. Stick to 3.
- Don't pick a segment that's too broad. You'll dilute your positioning.
- Don't run 3 experiments at once. You won't know what worked.
- Don't ignore evidence. The Moat Signals mission helps you spot real moats, not wishful thinking.
- Don't skip the Strategic Tradeoff mission. It shows you what you're giving up by choosing one move.
- Don't let your team debate forever. Set a 2-hour timebox for the map.
- Don't forget to celebrate a clear "no." Saying no to a low-impact experiment is a win.
- Don't assume your gut is right. The grid forces you to use data.
Your Win by Friday
By Friday, you'll have one clear experiment prioritized. Your team will know exactly what to test and why. No more guessing. No more wasted sprints. You'll feel the relief of knowing you're working on the highest-impact move. And hey, you might even free up an afternoon to grab coffee with your team—because you earned it.