If you’re a product manager constantly juggling delivery deadlines and leadership expectations, Amy Mitchell’s recent article, “Make Strategy Your Side Project,” is a must-read. Rather than treating strategy as a distant, high-level exercise, Mitchell offers a fresh and practical take: strategy is something you build right alongside your day-to-day product work.
What Sets This Article Apart
Most advice on strategic thinking can feel overwhelming or disconnected from the reality of busy product teams. But Mitchell cuts through that noise by emphasizing small, solution-level strategy — the kind that solves recurring patterns or friction points within your product or team.
She debunks the myth that strategic projects come fully formed on your plate. Instead, you need to spot opportunities in customer feedback, cross-team friction, or delivery bottlenecks — and then build a case for them carefully, framing these projects as hypotheses rather than “big strategies” to manage skepticism and risk.
The Power of Starting Small and Following Through
One of the most compelling insights is how starting small and staying close to delivery work can set you apart. Mitchell points out that many product managers have ideas or decks, but few follow through when the work gets messy or unrewarded in the short term. This follow-through — involving stakeholders, tracking progress, and closing the loop — is what builds trust and influence.
Her “Billboard Test” is a simple but effective tool: Would your team be proud to say, “We figured that out. That changed how we operate”? If yes, you’re on the right track.
Why This Matters for Product Managers Today
In today’s fast-paced environments, leadership demands both immediate results and strategic thinking. Mitchell’s approach offers a way to reconcile those pressures, making strategy less of a distant moonshot and more of a continuous, manageable side effort.
Whether you’re trying to stand out in a crowded product team or earn more visibility with senior leaders, the article provides actionable advice for embedding strategy work into your routine without losing focus on delivery.
Final Thoughts
“Make Strategy Your Side Project” is a timely and practical guide for product managers who want to grow their strategic impact organically. By focusing on small, product-rooted projects and following through with rigor, you can earn the influence and visibility leadership is looking for.
If you’re ready to rethink how you approach strategy and want actionable steps to start today, I highly recommend reading Amy Mitchell’s full article.
