What is the North Star Framework?
The North Star Framework is a model for managing products by identifying a single, crucial metric (the North Star Metric) - Amplitude North Star Framework
In addition the framework also identifies a set number of key input metrics that are directly tied to the north star metric. These are ones the Product teams can directly influence within their day to day work.
The North Star fits in-between the long term 1-3yr goals and your smaller ‘bets’ to make it happen.
Example North Star - Spotify
Benefits of the North Star
- Bridges the gap between Long term and short term goals
- Is mid-term - easier to focus on that lofty long term goals
- Provides clarity and focus on goals
- Has input metrics that are actionable in your day-to-day product teams
How to create your North Star
Before you begin..
Before you go ahead and start using the North Star Framework, first present why you think this is important and get feedback from senior stakeholders within your org. It is key to get everyone onboard, everyone needs to see the value - This is because there is a fair chunk of work to do and you need their help.
Workshop ‘til you drop
The best and only real way to implement the north star framework is through workshops. You need the key 2-5 stakeholders altogether and all focussed on generating the outputs.
The main activities I found most useful are:
- Magic Chart - This helps to set the tone and make sure everyone is clear on where metrics sit e.g. Vanity, Too open, too focussed on one team
- Confidence Ladder - This plots the basic user journey from the very start e.g. user just talking about a problem > they are a long term customer. This is used to build out your knowledge of your users.
- Confidence Ladder - Blank
- Leading / Lagging - Using your current known metrics discuss and plot them on a chart from leading to lagging. The north star should be somewhere in the middle so it helps to see what metrics could become your north star.
- Leading / Lagging - Blank