Escaping the Build Trap: How Effective Product Management Creates Real Value

by Melissa Perri

A North Star document explains the product in a way that can be visualized by the entire team and company. This includes the problem it is solving, the proposed solution, the solution factors that matter for success, and the outcomes the product will result in. North Stars are great for providing context to a wide audience. They should be evolved over time, as you learn more about your product. It’s important to note that this is not an action plan — it does not include how the team will be building the product. That is where story mapping comes in. Story mapping helps teams break down their work and align around goals. As Patton says, “Its purpose is to help the team communicate about their work and what needs to get done to deliver value.” Christa’s team used story mapping to think through all the factors needed to deliver a successful solution. This included breaking down each desired action from the user standpoint.