Three Values, Constraints Forces Depth Over Breadth
This is the 3x3 Value Ladders framework for founders. It's a systematic anchor for focusing your values into actionable priorities. Built to function as my API for product value priorities.
The 3x3 Value Ladders Framework for Founders
Every founder faces the same challenge: too many ideas, too little focus. Here's my systematic approach to solving this – the 3x3 value ladders framework. It's my API for sticking to values, giving room for experimentation, and recording data into the ledger.
Step One: VALUES
In theory, this step is straightforward:
Write down all core value propositions
Include key differentiators
Make essential promises
Then make THREE core values your constraint. Three VALUES forces depth over breadth.
Here's how this looks in practice, using @mindvisuals as an example:
Centralized creative source
Improve creative skills
Become more focused
The power lies in constraints. Three forces depth over breadth. Focusing is about saying no to the 14 good ideas, and sticking with the THREE most valuable ideas. Without constraints you'll dilute resources and lose capacity for value creation.
Step Two: LADDERS
In theory, the ladder system works like this:
Each value needs three reinforcement ladders
Each ladder needs to clear one pain point or specify a value
Each ladder is tested until next monthly review
Let's see this in practice. Here are the LADDERS for the value "Centralized creative source" from Mind Visuals:
"Save time downloading assets"
"Get consistent quality at fair price"
"No license headaches"
Going in a thousand directions is an idle approach. I'm obsessed with finding the deeper connections within the clarity of the three values. Ultimately the ladders of the chosen value deepen the accuracy aim hitting just the right pain points and solving them with your stuff.
I'm climbing mountains of truths. I'm curious of what the truth can be. I think it's hidden behind layers of willing curious exploration.
As Ray Dalio says: "Truth—or, more precisely, an accurate understanding of reality—is the essential foundation for any good outcome."
Step Three: ACTIONS
The theory is clean and systematic:
Clear interface anchor (document)
Measure (record and store data)
Accountability (update every month)
In practice, here's how Mind Visuals implements this:
Clear interface anchor – 3x3 doc with three core values to anchor messaging & values
Measure – note dates of changes and measure analytics in 3x3 doc
Accountability – review each month and iterate 3x3 doc
The Truth Machine
Finally, I run everything through a truth machine:
Is this VALUED by the market? A potential "must-have"? Or is it just a gimmick?
Are the LADDERS deepening the VALUE clearly and hitting pressure points?
Are ACTIONS upstream of results? Where can we simplify? Where can we apply leverage?
When I'm ready to handoff my thoughts to another human, I use the Brief API:
Could someone explain this back to me?
Are all necessary resources linked/attached?
Are expectations clear, and next steps realistic?
The Framework in Practice
The 3x3 value ladders framework has become my source of truth. It lets me operate at higher speed, avoid duplicate work, and align all vectors (team) in one direction.
By nature I explore ideas obsessively. I want to explore all the ideas. Especially the ones that arrive at dawn. Perhaps you're the same. That's how the 3x3 value ladders framework was born. A source of truth to keep infinite ideas focused on three essential values.
Some brilliant ideas won't fit these constraints yet. So I store them. Archive for later in a dedicated section of my 3x3 doc. Each monthly review, I consider them again. Many find their place with time.
This is a key framework part of the ecosystem of the Founders Media systems. These are the systems I use daily to run FND.
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