If you're not familiar with the Theory of Constraints (TOC), there is a library of different books for you to choose from, starting with 'The Goal' by Eliyahu M Goldratt. In the diagram, think of a constraint as anything that restricts the flow of opportunities. If a constraint existed, say in your Opportunity Definition processes, then the orange pillar in the diagram would be higher than the other pillars. This would restrict flow in the pipe. Now typically, if product management teams are ha...

I'm putting this innovation lifecycle back up to provide context of what I'm addressing. I'm still focusing on Stage 0. In part 1, I talked about idea generation and handling, in this part I'll be talking about opportunity identification, and then part 3 will focus on opportunity analysis. Opportunity Identification: There are people out there who wouldn't know an opportunity if it hit them in the back of the head. Well, in truth most of us are a little like this. As in so many things, part o...

The Market Sensing Pillar's goal is to create your company's perception of the market. Everything your organization has done, is doing, and will do to formulate a perception of the market is market sensing. "Market" is one of those words everyone thinks they understand, but no two people state it the same. In keeping with one of the primary goals of the Seven Pillars of Collaborative Product Management (develop a common language), it’s only right for me to provide a definition here. A market is...