How to Make Your 30, 60, 90-Day Plan as a New Product Leader?

Anushka Litoria
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February 12, 2024
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4 minutes read
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As a new Product Leader, you play a critical role in driving the success of an organization by defining and executing the product vision and strategy. When you join a new organization, it is important to establish a clear plan for your first few months on the job to hit the ground running and make a positive impact. This is where a 30, 60, or 90-day plan can be extremely valuable.

A 30, 60, and 90-day plan is a roadmap that outlines the specific actions you will take during your first three months on the job. The plan is typically organized by period, with specific goals and objectives for each stage. The purpose of the plan is to provide a clear framework for your early days on the job, helping you to focus on the most important tasks and make progress toward your long-term goals.

There are several key benefits to having a 30, 60, 90-day plan when you join a new organization:

Helps you to understand the organization and its products

When you join a new organization, you need to quickly get up to speed on the company, its products, and its markets. A 30, 60, and 90-day plan can help you to identify the key areas that you need to focus on to understand the business.

Helps you to build relationships and establish credibility

A 30, 60, and 90-day plan can help you to establish relationships with key stakeholders, including team members, customers, and partners. By demonstrating your commitment to the organization and your ability to deliver results, you can build credibility and earn the trust of your colleagues.

Helps you to focus on the most important tasks

With so much to learn and so many tasks to tackle when you join a new organization, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. A 30, 60, and 90-day plan can help you to prioritize the most important tasks and focus on the things that will have the greatest impact.

Helps you to track your progress and adjust your course

A 30, 60, and 90-day plan provides a clear roadmap for your first few months on the job. By tracking your progress against your plan, you can see where you are making progress and where you may need to adjust your course.

How do you go about creating a 30, 60, 90-day plan?

Here are some steps to follow:

1. Identify your key goals and objectives

The first step in creating a 30, 60, or 90-day plan is to identify your key goals and objectives. These should be aligned with the overall strategy and goals of the organization and should focus on areas where you can make the greatest impact.

2. Break down your goals into specific actions

Once you have identified your key goals, the next step is to break them down into specific actions that you can take to achieve those goals. These actions should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

3. Organize your actions by period

Once you have identified your key actions, the next step is to organize them by period. For example, you might focus on learning about the organization and its products in your first 30 days, building relationships with key stakeholders in your first 60 days, and executing key initiatives in your first 90 days.

4. Create a timeline

Once you have organized your actions by period, the next step is to create a timeline that outlines when you will complete each action. Be sure to include any deadlines or milestones that you need to meet.

5. Communicate your plan to key stakeholders

Once you have created your 30, 60, and 90-day plan, it is important to communicate it to key stakeholders, including your team, your manager, and any other key stakeholders who will be impacted by your actions. This will help to ensure that everyone is aligned on your goals and objectives and will provide a clear roadmap for your first few months on the job.

How to execute your 30, 60, and 90-day plan effectively?

It is important to follow a few key best practices:

1. Set clear, measurable goals

Make sure that your goals are clear and measurable so that you can track your progress and see how you are doing.

2. Prioritize your tasks

With so many tasks to tackle, it is important to prioritize the most important ones. Use tools like the Eisenhower Matrix to help you identify the tasks that are most urgent and important, and focus on those first.

3. Communicate regularly with your team and manager

Keep your team and manager informed of your progress, and be open to feedback and suggestions. This will help to ensure that you are aligned with the broader goals of the organization, and will also help to build trust and credibility with your colleagues.

4. Stay flexible

While it is important to have a plan, be prepared to adjust your course as needed. You may discover new opportunities or challenges that require you to pivot, and it is important to be agile and adaptable to stay on track.

To summarize, a 30, 60, and 90-day plan is a valuable tool for any VP of Product joining a new organization. By outlining the specific actions you will take in your first three months on the job, you can focus on the most important tasks, build relationships and establish credibility, and track your progress towards your long-term goals. By following these steps and best practices, you can hit the ground running and make a positive impact in your new role.