Strategy & Structured Problem Solving [Live]
Tackle any complex product problem with confidence. Learn to break down problems, make great strategic decisions and build powerful narratives.
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About the Course
Learn to structure and solve complex product problems and strategy questions with an awesome cohort and experienced product leaders.
What You Will Learn
This course will provide you with a set of tools and approaches for effective problem solving and strategic decision making across a broad range of product problems.
You will learn how to:
- Define and break down problems to identify levers that matter most
- Plan and execute analyses and present compelling solutions
- Identify great strategies and make robust strategic decisions
- Frame and test choices and create powerful narratives
You will also learn and share your ideas and experiences with an awesome cohort of learners and guest speakers from some of Australia's most exciting start-ups and scale-ups.
Who Is This Course For?
This is a course for Product People.
If you care deeply about your customers and spend your time working out how to solve their problems and create value then this course is for you.
Typically, this will mean you have 1 to 5+ years of product experience and have a job title such as (non-exhaustive):
- Product Manager
- Product Owner
- Product Designer (UI, UX)
- Product Researcher
- Product Analyst
- Product Marketer
- Founder
- Software Engineer
- Engineering Managers
- Business Analyst
- Customer Success Manager
What's Included?
Life time access to the course content, including:
- 13+ hours of lessons and select, previous speakers
- 6 live product leader sessions
- 6 group workshop sessions
- 20 product templates
- Optional homework exercises
- Official course certificate
Plus:
- Optional weekly office hours
- 12 months access to the Minnow Library ($120 in value) which includes all previous and future product leader sessions
Course Format
The course run virtually over six weeks and includes:
- Self-paced, structured learning - review core course material, recordings templates and homework exercises in your own time each week. Self-paced learning is done on Minnow's course platform.
- Weekly working sessions - share, discuss and get hands on with each topic with your peer cohort, typically on Tuesday evenings each week (Sydney, AUS time) however this may change cohort to cohort.
- Weekly guest speakers - hear product experts share their real-world experiences of applying key concepts in practice on Thursday evenings each week (Sydney, AUS time) however this may change cohort to cohort.
- Community - build real connections with the other awesome product people in the group with our Slack community, social events and optional 1:1 catch-ups.
Recordings of live Working and Speaker sessions (Tuesdays, Thursdays) will be added to the course platform each week so you can rewatch or catch-up at any time.
Time Commitment
The time commitment is approximately ~5 hrs per week
- Reviewing course content: 1-2 hrs (individual)
- Weekly video calls: 2.5 hrs (together)
- Homework & reading: 0.5-1 hrs (individual)
- Sharing and connecting (e.g. on slack, catch-ups): 0.5 hrs (individual)
Course Content
Throughout the course we'll cover six cover topics, beginning with Structured Problem Solving then moving on to Strategy.
Defining & Breaking Down Problems
- The Structured Problem Solving process
- Problem definition and SCQA
- Breaking down problems: logic trees and MECE
Hypotheses & Analysis
- Finding impactful levers and opportunities
- Planning analysis - invest time upfront
- Common biases
- Analysis types and techniques
Compelling Arguments
- Bringing it all together: Minto pyramids
Ingredients for Great Strategy
- From Structured Problem Solving to Strategy
- What does great strategy look like?
- General structure for strategy and The Cascade of Choices
Stretching Strategy into the Future
- 3 Growth Horizons
Strategic Choices & Storytelling
- Framing options and making good decisions
- Testing strategy: what would have to be true?
- Narratives and storytelling
- Strategy is never done
Reviews
"The highlight for me each week was hearing product leaders discuss how they structure their problem solving and hearing about the real problems they've tackled and the approaches they took and mistakes they made."
"I don't think I have done a course yet, where I have been so motivated to apply the strategies to my work straight after learning about them ...and then see the positive impact they have!"
"Gave me a fantastic understanding of the frameworks required to solve the endless and complex problems that arise both everyday and over many months as a founder. Would recommend to any founder or startup employee solving key business problems for users."
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this course for?
This course is for anyone looking to build confidence in their ability to tackle complex product problems. This doesn't mean that you have to be a product manager, although we get lots of product managers completing this course. If you are in a role where you work on building product, work closely with product teams, or are in a product-led company, then this course is for you.
Typically this course is completed by product people with titles such as:
- Product Manager
- Product Owner
- Product Designer (UI, UX)
- Product Researcher
- Product Analyst
- Product Marketer
- Founder
- Software Engineer
- Engineering Managers
- Business Analyst
- Customer Success Manager
- Strategy & Operations
Will this course help me transition to a product role?
Yes, it may. Many Minnow alumni have gone on to begin exciting product roles as well as transition from their current roles to new positions at leading product companies.
Can my employer pay for the course?
Yes. This course will help you to add significant value in your role and employer will likely be happy to invest in your learning and development. You may also already have a learning & development (L&D) budget that you can use to invest in the course.
Here is a template email you can share with your employer to ask for support in investing in your career development.
Does this course cover Product Management fundamentals?
No. This course is about developing your problem solving and strategic decision making skills. It is not a course on the foundations of product management and will not cover topics such as:
- Developing product roadmaps
- Executing specific product strategies
- Foundational product concepts such as Discovery, UI/UX, GTM, etc.
Is the course virtual or in-person?
The course is fully virtual however we do try to organise in-person meet-ups for each cohorts. In-person meet-ups are dependent on the locations of students.
I'd love to have my whole team complete the course, do you offer group discounts?
Yes, depending on team size and needs. Please email harry@minnowlearn.com for more information.
Is there a payment plan option to pay in instalments?
Yes, if you would like to pay in instalments please email harry@minnowlearn.com for more information.
Where can I go for extra help and to ask questions?
You have lots of great options. The working sessions each week are a perfect opportunity to test ideas and ask questions with your peer cohort. You can also join weekly office hours sessions with your course facilitator for 1-on-1 discussions. Lastly, Minnow's Slack community is filled with incredible product people and course alumni that are happy to help.
What if I can't attend a live session?
All live course sessions are recorded and made available to students a few days afterwards. If you are unable to attend a session, you can always watch the recording. Also, if you have questions for a guest speaker for a session that you are unable to attend, your facilitator will be happy to ask your questions on your behalf.
Do you offer full or partial sponsorships?
Please email harry@minnowlearn.com with your circumstances and for more information regarding potential sponsorship options.
What is your refund policy?
Full refund available within 30 days of the course commencing. No questions asked.
Strategy & Structured Problem Solving
Tackle any complex product problem with confidence. Learn to break down problems, make great strategic decisions and build powerful narratives.
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