Develops business strategies grounded in rigorous competitive and market analysis using proven frameworks (Good Strategy kernel, Porter's 5 Forces, SWOT, Blue Ocean, Playing to Win, Value Chain Analysis, BCG Matrix). Use when developing strategy (market entry, product launch, expansion, M&A, turnaro

Strategy & Competitive Analysis Table of Contents [Workflow]( workflow) [Strategic Frameworks Overview]( strategic frameworks overview) [Competitive Analysis Overview]( competitive analysis overview) [Common Patterns]( common patterns) [Guardrails]( guardrails) [Quick Reference]( quick reference) Core approach Good Strategy Kernel (Rumelt): Diagnosis (what's the challenge) → Guiding Policy (overall approach) → Coherent Actions (specific coordinated steps). Example : SaaS startup entering crowded market → Diagnosis : commoditized features, price competition, high CAC. Guiding Policy : vertical specialization (healthcare) + product led growth. Coherent Actions : build HIPAA compliance, create compliance templates, offer free tier, invest in SEO for "healthcare SaaS". Workflow Copy this checklist and track your progress: Step 1: Frame strategic question Clarify the strategic question, business context (industry, stage, constraints), competitive landscape, and success criteria. See [Common Patterns]( common patterns) for typical question types. Step 2: Choose framework(s) For industry/competitive structure → Use Porter's 5 Forces. For positioning → Use Blue Ocean Strategy Canvas or Value Chain Analysis. For overall strategy → Use Good Strategy kernel. For multiple options → Use SWOT per option. See [Strategic Frameworks Overview]( strategic frameworks overview) and [resources/methodology.md](resources/methodology.md) for framework selection guidance. Step 3: Conduct analysis For straightforward competitive analysis → Use [resources/template.md](resources/template.md). For complex multi framework strategy → Study [resources/methodology.md](resources/methodology.md) for integrated approach. Gather data (competitor research, market analysis, customer insights), apply framework systematically, document findings with evidence. Step 4: Synthesize insights Apply Good Strategy kernel: Diagnosis (core challenge from analysis), Guiding Policy (overall approach to address challenge), Coherent Actions (3 5 specific coordinated steps). Ensure coherence (actions reinforce each other, support guiding policy, address diagnosis). Step 5: Validate and create action plan Self assess using [resources/evaluators/rubric strategy and competitive analysis.json](resources/evaluators/rubric strategy and competitive analysis.json). Check: diagnosis grounded in evidence, guiding policy addresses root challenge, actions coherent and specific, competitive positioning clear, assumptions explicit, risks identified. Create strategy and competitive analysis.md with strategy summary, supporting analysis, action plan with owners/timelines. Strategic Frameworks Overview Framework Use When Key Output Good Strategy Kernel Overall strategy formulation Diagnosis + Guiding Policy + Coherent Actions Porter's 5 Forces Assess industry attractiveness, competitive intensity Industry structure analysis, profit potential SWOT Analysis Evaluate internal/external factors, compare options Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats Blue Ocean Strategy Find uncontested market space, redefine competition Strategy canvas, value innovation Playing to Win Define strategic choices explicitly Where to play (markets/segments), How to win (advantage) Value Chain Analysis Identify cost advantages, differentiation opportunities Value activities, cost drivers, linkages BCG Matrix Manage product portfolio Stars, Cash Cows, Dogs, Question Marks Competitive Profiling Understand specific competitors deeply Competitor SWOT, positioning, strategy inference Framework Selection: Single product launch → Blue Ocean Strategy Canvas + Competitive Profiling Market entry decision → Porter's 5 Forces + Playing to Win Annual strategic planning → Good Strategy Kernel + SWOT Turnaround/crisis → Good Strategy Kernel (diagnosis critical) Portfolio management → BCG Matrix + Resource allocation See [resources/methodology.md](resources/methodology.md) for detailed framework application guidance. Competitive Analysis Overview Competitor Profiling: Identify competitors : Direct (same solution), Indirect (different solution, same job), Potential (adjacent markets, new entrants) Profile each : Product/features, Pricing, Target customers, Positioning/messaging, Strengths/weaknesses, Strategy inference, Financial health, Recent moves Analyze : SWOT per competitor, Competitive positioning map (2x2: price vs features, etc.), Share of wallet, Win/loss patterns Porter's 5 Forces: 1. Competitive Rivalry : Number of competitors, market growth rate, differentiation, switching costs, exit barriers 2. Threat of New Entrants : Barriers to entry (capital, technology, brand, regulation, network effects) 3. Threat of Substitutes : Alternative solutions, price performance trade offs, switching costs 4. Bargaining Power of Buyers : Concentration, price sensitivity, switching costs, backward integration threat 5. Bargaining Power of Suppliers : Concentration, uniqueness, switching costs, forward integration threat Output : Industry attractiveness (high/medium/low profit potential), key competitive dynamics, strategic implications. Competitive Moats (sustainable advantages): Network effects : Value increases with more users (platforms, marketplaces) Switching costs : High cost to change providers (data lock in, integration, learning curve) Brand : Strong brand recognition and loyalty Cost advantages : Scale economies, proprietary technology, favorable access to resources Regulatory : Licenses, patents, compliance barriers Common Patterns Pattern 1: Market Entry Strategy Diagnosis: Assess market using Porter's 5 Forces + competitive profiling Guiding Policy: Choose positioning (Blue Ocean or competitive response) Coherent Actions: Go to market, product roadmap, pricing, partnerships Pattern 2: Competitive Response Diagnosis: Analyze competitor threat (new entrant, feature launch, price cut) Guiding Policy: Defend, ignore, or leapfrog Coherent Actions: Feature parity, differentiation doubling down, or new positioning Pattern 3: Strategic Planning (Annual) Diagnosis: Current state SWOT + market trends + competitive landscape Guiding Policy: Focus areas (3 5 strategic themes) for next year Coherent Actions: OKRs, initiatives, resource allocation Pattern 4: Differentiation Strategy Diagnosis: Competitive positioning map + customer needs analysis Guiding Policy: Differentiation axis (vertical, feature set, experience, business model) Coherent Actions: Product roadmap, marketing messaging, pricing structure Guardrails Evidence Based: Ground diagnosis in data (market research, customer interviews, competitor analysis) State assumptions explicitly (market size, growth rate, competitive response) Distinguish facts from hypotheses Cite sources for key claims Coherence: Actions must reinforce each other (not independent initiatives) Actions must support guiding policy Guiding policy must address diagnosis (not aspirational goals) Strategy must be internally consistent (no contradictions) Realism: Acknowledge constraints (resources, capabilities, time, competition) Identify risks and mitigation plans Avoid wishful thinking ("if we just execute perfectly...") Test strategy against competitive response scenarios Specificity: Diagnosis: specific challenge (not "we need to grow" but "customer acquisition cost exceeds LTV in current market") Guiding Policy: clear approach (not "be customer focused" but "vertical specialization in healthcare") Coherent Actions: concrete steps with owners and timelines (not "improve product" but "build HIPAA compliance by Q2, led by Security Team") Differentiation: Strategy must be defensible against competition Identify sustainable competitive advantages (moats) Avoid "best practices" that competitors can easily copy Explain why this strategy is hard for competitors to replicate Quick Reference Inputs Required: Strategic question or decision to make Business context (industry, stage, goals, constraints) Competitive landscape (who are competitors, market dynamics) Available resources and capabilities Frameworks to Use: Industry analysis → Porter's 5 Forces Overall strategy → Good Strategy Kernel Positioning → Blue Ocean Strategy Canvas, Value Chain Analysis Portfolio → BCG Matrix Competitor analysis → SWOT, Competitive Profiling Outputs Produced: strategy and competitive analysis.md with: Strategic question and context Analysis (frameworks applied, findings, evidence) Strategy summary (diagnosis, guiding policy, coherent actions) Competitive positioning Action plan (initiatives, owners, timelines, success metrics) Assumptions, risks, mitigations Resources: Quick competitive analysis → [resources/template.md](resources/template.md) Complex multi framework strategy → [resources/methodology.md](resources/methodology.md) Quality validation → [resources/evaluators/rubric strategy and competitive analysis.json](resources/evaluators/rubric strategy and competitive analysis.json) Minimum Quality Standard: Diagnosis grounded in evidence (not assumptions) Guiding policy addresses root challenge (not symptoms) Coherent actions specific and mutually reinforcing Competitive analysis rigorous (Porter's 5 Forces or equivalent) Assumptions explicit, risks identified with mitigations Average rubric score ≥ 3.5/5 before delivering

strategy-and-competitive-analysis