The 2x2 framework is heavily used at Google and in consulting to show the solution space and all available options. Here are 5 examples of how you can use this powerful storytelling tool to drive decision making:👇
Note: This works best when you’re dealing with a large solution space, where it's hard to visualize all the options and even harder to compare them all against one another.
When reviewing the 5 examples below, think about how you can apply this framework to the business (or personal!) problems you're facing.
1. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Very commonly used. This can show you not only what to prioritize immediately (top right) but also what product initiatives can be considered for quick wins or for longer term development.
2. COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
This framework can be used to directly to analyze competitor positions or to individually assess features or products you're competing with.
Importantly, the four quadrants can each have a unique, varying strategy or approach.
How you approach established competitors is different than how you contend with emerging competitive threats.
3. RESOURCE ALLOCATION
A recurring business and product development problem is deciding how to invest internal resources.
Should you go for the pure ROI opportunity of a project or invest in initiatives that support your company’s strategic direction?
The four quadrants here can help support your proposed narrative of how resources should be allocated.
4. RISK MANAGEMENT
This risk management framework is used all the time by big platforms & ecosystems. A staple of Trust & Safety orgs everywhere.
4️⃣ Take urgent actions to address critical risks (top right)
3️⃣ Formulate a reactive plan for manageable risks (top left)
2️⃣ Create a proactive plan of action to address potential risks (bottom right)
1️⃣ Align on “strategic inaction” for negligible risks (bottom left)
5. STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT
This is a framework best suited for personal use or by small execution teams.
Big projects and initiatives have lots of internal stakeholders.
This tool helps you figure out how to approach the relationship with each stakeholder.
____________________________________________________________
👆These were just a few examples I personally used and really enjoyed.
What I want you to take away from this is that you can take complex solution spaces and break them down into two top considerations.
Then lay out the options before you and create the narrative that you think works best.
Be creative and experiment with different attributes for the X and Y axis.
Remember, the power of the two-axis framework lies in its ability to simplify and visually demonstrate a complex decision-making process!
____________________
If you enjoyed this post:
1. Follow me [Alexander Rechevskiy] for more PM & career content
2. Repost to share with your network
🙏 Thank you!
Note: This works best when you’re dealing with a large solution space, where it's hard to visualize all the options and even harder to compare them all against one another.
When reviewing the 5 examples below, think about how you can apply this framework to the business (or personal!) problems you're facing.
1. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Very commonly used. This can show you not only what to prioritize immediately (top right) but also what product initiatives can be considered for quick wins or for longer term development.
2. COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
This framework can be used to directly to analyze competitor positions or to individually assess features or products you're competing with.
Importantly, the four quadrants can each have a unique, varying strategy or approach.
How you approach established competitors is different than how you contend with emerging competitive threats.
3. RESOURCE ALLOCATION
A recurring business and product development problem is deciding how to invest internal resources.
Should you go for the pure ROI opportunity of a project or invest in initiatives that support your company’s strategic direction?
The four quadrants here can help support your proposed narrative of how resources should be allocated.
4. RISK MANAGEMENT
This risk management framework is used all the time by big platforms & ecosystems. A staple of Trust & Safety orgs everywhere.
4️⃣ Take urgent actions to address critical risks (top right)
3️⃣ Formulate a reactive plan for manageable risks (top left)
2️⃣ Create a proactive plan of action to address potential risks (bottom right)
1️⃣ Align on “strategic inaction” for negligible risks (bottom left)
5. STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT
This is a framework best suited for personal use or by small execution teams.
Big projects and initiatives have lots of internal stakeholders.
This tool helps you figure out how to approach the relationship with each stakeholder.
____________________________________________________________
👆These were just a few examples I personally used and really enjoyed.
What I want you to take away from this is that you can take complex solution spaces and break them down into two top considerations.
Then lay out the options before you and create the narrative that you think works best.
Be creative and experiment with different attributes for the X and Y axis.
Remember, the power of the two-axis framework lies in its ability to simplify and visually demonstrate a complex decision-making process!
____________________
If you enjoyed this post:
1. Follow me [Alexander Rechevskiy] for more PM & career content
2. Repost to share with your network
🙏 Thank you!
