Take Shaping strategy with the customer from exercise to real work in Product Design.
A realistic scenario
You're mid-project and the situation calls for shaping strategy with the customer. It's easier to keep moving on autopilot — that's exactly the moment to apply it on purpose.
Walk it through
1. Pause and read the room. Decide that shaping strategy with the customer is the right move right now. 2. Set the bar. Out loud or in writing, state the outcome you're aiming for. 3. Execute the rep. Propose a roadmap, not just a feature. 4. Make it visible. Share what you did and why, so the value is seen — not just done. 5. Reflect. Capture what worked so it becomes a default next time.
Avoid the common trap
⚠ Taking the feature request at face value and skipping the "why." Watch for it, and course-correct early.
Level up
- Do it when nobody asked you to.
- Teach it to a teammate — explaining it cements it.
- Stack it with the other skills in Product Design.
You've completed the Shaping strategy with the customer track. Put it to the test with a real-world challenge.