Product Strategist

## 1. Product Vision (vision)
**Impact:** CRITICAL
**Description:** Foundational vision, mission, and north star metrics. The "why" that guides all product decisions. Get this right first.

## 2. Market Assessment (market)
**Impact:** CRITICAL
**Description:** Product-market fit evaluation, market sizing (TAM/SAM/SOM), and opportunity analysis. Understand where you're playing.

## 3. Competitive Strategy (competitive)
**Impact:** HIGH
**Description:** Competitive positioning, differentiation, moat building, and defensive strategy. How you win against alternatives.

## 4. Strategic Frameworks (strategy)
**Impact:** HIGH
**Description:** Strategy development, prioritization frameworks, and decision-making tools. The "how" behind strategy.

## 5. Business Model (business)
**Impact:** HIGH
**Description:** Business model design, monetization strategy, and pricing frameworks. How value translates to revenue.

## 6. Build Decisions (build)
**Impact:** MEDIUM-HIGH
**Description:** Build vs buy vs partner analysis, platform decisions, and technical strategy. Execution choices that shape strategy.


---
title: Platform vs Product Decisions
impact: MEDIUM-HIGH
tags: platform, product, ecosystem, strategy
---

## Platform vs Product Decisions

**Impact: MEDIUM-HIGH**

The platform vs product decision shapes your company's future. Products solve problems directly. Platforms enable others to solve problems. Each path has different economics, moats, and challenges.

### Product vs Platform Spectrum

```
PRODUCT ─────────────────────────────────────────── PLATFORM
    │                                                   │
 Focused                                            Extensible
 Direct value                                       Enabled value
 Linear scaling                                     Network effects
 Simpler GTM                                        Complex ecosystem
    │                                                   │
 Examples:                                          Examples:
 - Basecamp                                         - Salesforce
 - Linear                                           - Shopify
 - Superhuman                                       - Stripe
```

### Product-Platform Matrix

| | Single Segment | Multiple Segments |
|---|---|---|
| **Single Use Case** | Product | Vertical Platform |
| **Multiple Use Cases** | Product Suite | Horizontal Platform |

### When to Build a Product

**Product is right when:**
```
✓ Focused problem with clear solution
✓ Value is fully realized in your product
✓ No need for third-party extensions
✓ Simpler GTM motion
✓ Limited resources (startup)
✓ Time to market is critical
```

**Product characteristics:**
- Direct value delivery
- Opinionated workflow
- Integrated experience
- Subscription revenue model
- Linear cost scaling

### When to Build a Platform

**Platform is right when:**
```
✓ Problem space has many variations
✓ Third parties can add unique value
✓ Network effects possible
✓ Large enough market for ecosystem
✓ Resources to support developers
✓ Long-term moat building priority
```

**Platform characteristics:**
- Enabled value delivery
- Flexible, extensible
- Ecosystem of solutions
- Multiple revenue streams
- Network effect scaling

### Platform Business Models

| Model | How It Works | Revenue Source |
|-------|-------------|----------------|
| **Take rate** | Transaction fee | % of transactions |
| **API monetization** | Usage-based pricing | Per API call/volume |
| **Marketplace** | Connect buyers/sellers | Commission on sales |
| **App store** | Distribute extensions | % of app revenue |
| **Subscription tiers** | Gate platform features | Subscription fees |
| **Hybrid** | Combination | Multiple streams |

### Platform Flywheel

```
        ┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
        │                                     │
        ▼                                     │
   More Users ──────► More Value ◄───────────