divergent-working-backwards

name	divergent-working-backwards
description	Use when defining new product lines or major pivots, when single PR/FAQ leads to tunnel vision, or when giving leadership real strategic choices instead of yes/no decisions

Divergent Working Backwards (3 PR/FAQs)

Overview

An enhancement of Amazon's "Working Backwards" process. Instead of writing one Press Release, the team writes three distinct, divergent PRs to explore different strategic directions before converging.

Core principle: Power of Three—always explore three radically different solutions.

The Process

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  1. DEFINE THE CUSTOMER PROBLEM                                 │
│     What are we solving?                                        │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  2. IDEATE 3 DIVERGENT SOLUTIONS                                │
│     NOT variations—strategic alternatives                       │
│     Example: Tiered vs. Points-based vs. Segment-focused        │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  3. DRAFT 3 DISTINCT PR/FAQs                                    │
│     Full press release for each future                          │
│     Include compliance, legal, ops details                      │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  4. STAKEHOLDER REVIEW & DEBATE                                 │
│     Compare the 3 futures                                       │
│     Force real trade-off discussions                            │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  5. SELECT ONE PATH & COMMIT                                    │
│     Disagree and commit once chosen                             │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Key Principles

Principle	Description
Divergence first	Prevents falling in love with first idea
Show don't tell	Write full PR/FAQ, not just bullet points
Leadership choice	Give real options, not yes/no on single plan
Commit after debate	Once chosen, full commitment

Common Mistakes

• Writing three variations that are only slightly different
• Not pushing to truly divergent strategic alternatives
• Skipping the full PR/FAQ detail for each option

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Source: Anuj Rathi (Jupiter Money, Swiggy) via Lenny's Podcast