Clarity needs Context

Transcript

1. CLARITY needs Context Arne Kittler
2. Clarity is crucial for our success as product people
3. Clarity is an outcome. Context is what we can work on.
4. For succesful product work we need clarity on four layers – all need context Directional Clarity Situational Clarity Role Clarity Clear Communication
5. We need Directional Clarity …so everyone can independently work towards a common goal.
6. Context for Directional Clarity Market & competition, regulatory, user insights Company priorities & product direction (Vision, Strategy, Goals) Context behind initiatives: Insights, hypotheses, ambition, nos
7. We need Situational Clarity …so that things keep moving forward
8. Context for Situational Clarity Sparring to practice „reading the situation“ Decision record with rationale and decision makers Heritage: The key to explaining surprising behavior
9. We need Role Clarity …so it‘s clear what we expect from each other.
10. Context for Role Clarity Competency Matrix & Calibration Org Setup & Topologies Temporary project roles (DACI)
11. We need Clear Communication …so we enable others to collaborate well
12. Context for Clear Communication Shared Terminology (VOMP? // „Released“) Immediate context in async collaboration Explicit connections to contextualize overarching direction
13. Ambiguity on one layer compromises all others Directional Clarity Situational Clarity Role Clarity Clear Communication
14. Practical Thoughts …including first learnings from survey with 50 product leaders
15. AI context handling is a chance for more human clarity Contextual Clarity already mattered before AI Traditional context handling: oh boy… Systematic approaches for AI = increased awareness for context 49% 27% Provide context for the whole team‘s AI Experimenting with it *Source: Survey of 50 product people (October 2026).
16. If it works in your own AI, share it with your team’s Own AI tools Team's shared AI tools 73% Users Product direction Market Company direction 51% 76% 45% 62% 38% 63% 39% *Source: Survey of 50 product people (October 2026).
17. Context decays: Keep it alive, and make it someone‘s responsibility! Good news: 86% update context at least weekly 66% use AI to do some or most of the updating But: 49% leave updates to „whoever notices“ or „nobody in particular“ *Source: Survey of 50 product people (October 2026).
18. Let‘s involve the leaders more actively Leaders‘ involvement with context information is often reactive As a leader: Don‘t wait to be asked, use context info as a chance to provide (or correct) direction Everybody: Make leaders aware of unclear context & show how they can contribute
19. Is it worth it? Probably, maybe! Has shared context changed how your team works together? 63% for the better 46% 17% Clearly for the better Somewhat for the better 31% Too early to tell No change (1) Only I use it (1) Do you measure or track whether shared context helps? 11% With metrics 43% 37% Informally No 9% Not sure *Source: Survey of 50 product people (October 2026).
20. Let‘s invest in context! For clarity in human collaboration and our work with AI.
21. Arne Kittler Contextual Product Leadership Coaching | Interim | Consulting