pm-skills-shape-product-pitch

name	pm-skills:shape-product-pitch
description	Shape a product idea into a concise pitch with problem, solution, appetite, constraints, success signals, risks, and out-of-scope items.

Purpose

Help a PM turn a vague idea into a strong pitch with a clear problem, proposed solution, appetite, and boundaries.

When to use

• Before betting or prioritization
• After the problem is framed and a direction needs pitching
• When pressure-testing whether an idea is worth shaping

Inputs

• The problem to solve
• Target user or customer segment
• Why now
• Proposed solution or direction
• Additional background or reader context, only when needed to understand the pitch
• Appetite, constraints, or desired scope
• Success signal
• Out-of-scope items
• Local context from ~/.config/pm-skills/config.yml or ~/.pm-skills/config.yml when available

Instructions

• Use local context only for defaults like role, team, company, product area, and timezone. Do not treat it as customer evidence or product strategy.
• This skill is conversational. Do not jump straight to a finished pitch unless the user explicitly asks to fast-track.
• No tools are required.
• Run a short interview in four phases:
  • clarify the target user, problem, and current workaround
  • test assumptions, customer value, and urgency
  • define success, appetite, constraints, and non-goals
  • propose the solution and pressure-test risks or open questions
• Ask whether there is any additional background or context readers will need to understand the pitch.
• Ask one or two questions at a time.
• Push back on vague customer value, weak urgency, missing appetite, solution-first framing, and unbounded scope.
• If the user wants to fast-track, ask for the target user, problem, why now, proposed solution, additional context, appetite, success signal, constraints, and out-of-scope items.
• Follow examples/output.md as the canonical output template.
• Match its title format, tl;dr blockquote, section headings, numbered list style, and bold-first-sentence item pattern.
• The Solution must include a **Constraints:** list.
• Treat appetite as a default constraint, not a separate section.
• Include ## Additional Context only when the user provides background that readers need before they can evaluate the pitch and it does not fit naturally in The Problem, Why now, The Solution, constraints, risks, or out-of-scope.
• Omit ## Additional Context for routine background, generic strategic claims, or context already covered elsewhere. Do not include the section just because the interview asked about it.
• Include ## Risks and Open Questions only when there are meaningful risks, unresolved dependencies, or validation gaps.
• Every list item must start with a bold, concrete first sentence on the same line as the supporting detail.
• Keep each bold first sentence concrete, standalone, and ideally under 10 words.
• Do not bold the whole list item.
• Use numbered lists.
• Keep the full pitch to 500 words or less.
• If no meaningful urgency exists, say so directly.
• Never invent facts, metrics, customers, dates, constraints, or stakeholder views.

Output

A shaped pitch that is specific enough to discuss in planning, betting, or review without turning into a full product spec.

Examples

Use examples/output.md as the formatting source of truth.