The product hierarchy framework

Understanding where product strategy fits in the larger organizational hierarchy helps teams make better decisions at every level. There's a clear flow from the highest-level vision down to individual product launches.

Vision sits at the top, representing what your organization ultimately wants to achieve in the world. Mission comes next, explaining how the company will make that vision real. Product strategy then translates these lofty goals into specific choices about what to build and for whom. The roadmap turns strategy into a timeline of deliverables. Sprints break the roadmap into manageable chunks of work. Tactics are the day-to-day decisions within each sprint. Finally, launches represent the moment when your work reaches users.

Each level serves a distinct purpose and operates on a different time horizon. Vision might look 5-10 years out, while tactics focus on what happens this week. When teams understand this hierarchy, they can ensure their daily work connects to larger goals. A developer writing code today can trace their work all the way up to the company vision, creating alignment and purpose throughout the organization.