Strategy & Structured Problem Solving
Tackle any complex product problem with confidence. Learn to break down problems, make great strategic decisions and build powerful narratives.
About the Course
Go at your own pace and learn how to structure and solve complex product problems and strategy questions.
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 hear from Product Leaders at some of the most exciting start-ups and scale-ups and learn how these skills are applied in leading product environments.
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 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
- Strategy & Operations
Or anything else as long as you have an interest in product.
What's Included?
Life time access to the course content, including:
- 13+ hours of lessons and select, previous speakers
- 12 product leader stories
- 20 templates & resources
- Optional homework exercises
- Official course certificate
Plus:
- 12 months access to the Minnow Library ($120 in value) which includes all previous and future product leader sessions
Course Format
This course is 100% self-paced, including:
- Course content - review core course material and recordings.
- Product Leader stories - learn from product leaders at companies including Atlassian, Canva, Facebook and more.
- Homework and templates - apply your learning to your own context and work through suggested exercises.
You will also have access to Minnow's incredible community of Product People and Slack group. Reach out as you like for:
- Questions
- Additional support
- Connecting with peers and leaders
Course Content
This course covers 6 key 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
You will also have life-time access to 12 incredible product leader stories, including:
- Building Canva Video [Tanmay Jain]
- 0 - 1 - Building Kin Fertility [Nicole Liu]
- Running Experiments at Domain [Julian Connor]
- Experimenting with Integrations at Atlassian [Andrea Ho]
- Growth at Facebook and Canva [Pius Binder]
- Launching Products and Brands at Eucalyptus [Jenny Chu]
- New vs Existing Products and Customers at Zip Co. [Faiza Harji]
- Product Strategy at Atlassian, Company Strategy at Forage [Isha Mehta]
- Product Strategy at Twitter, Dovetail [Brian Swift]
- Start-up Strategy [Virginia Murdoch]
- Storytelling at Canva [Jen Thompson]
- Deep Tech Storytelling [Paloma Newton]
Reviews
"Here's what I loved: 💡Insightful content: It's packed full of great content and exercises to internalise each concept. The content is relevant and above all actionable. 🤓Expert knowledge: Features experts from world class tech start-ups like Atlassian, Eucalyptus and Canva who take you through how they solved specific product problems (no fluff!) 🫶 Great community: I've met and become friends with so many amazing people Can't recommend this course highly enough."
"I came to better understand how to tackle problems that will actually move the marker, and how to not get distracted by the fluff. It's just as important to decide what not to build as it is deciding what to build. Highly recommend the course for product people. 💥"
"Super valuable course that used practical, real life examples to teach us how to structure our thinking around product problems. I've already used a heap of the strategies at work. 10/10 would recommend to any tech friends looking to level up your product knowledge, problem solving and strategic thinking skills."
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.
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.
Where can I go for extra help and to ask questions?
Minnow's Slack community is filled with incredible product people and course alumni that are happy to help. Feel free to share your questions and progress in Slack as you move through the course.
What is your refund policy?
Full refund available within 30 days of purchase. No questions asked but feedback welcome.
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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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