"Create the visualizations that are going to be useful, do some cleanup work to create the space for people to think a little more deeply, and then make sure you don't waste their time so they can put some wins on the board" - Eric Willeke

With our love of strategy off the leash in Episode 3, we continue down the path this episode. We explore why strategy matters so much to portfolio design. This provides a bridge to understanding how portfolios evolve and change over time, the critical characteristics to clarify early, and the questions that might emerge. It's no use having interesting questions if you have no time to wrestle with them. We conclude the episode by examining some of our favorite approaches to creating space for critical conversations.

In this episode, we cover:

• (00:39) Episode Intro
• (1:38) Why is understanding the portfolio's role in the ecosystem important?
• (10:27) How does strategy influence the internals of the portfolio?
• (16:51) What's the best way to begin 'becoming lean'?
• (33:49) Why are purpose, context, and structure essential to clarify?
• (48:09) How do you create space for executives to have conversations that matter?
• (01:04:58) Wrap

Cast:

Eric Willeke

Mark Richards

Show Notes

Book References:

• Zone to Win – Geoffrey Moore