The Execution Gap Model

When you’re developing a new product, it’s not enough to have an idea with the right value proposition (even at every level of the idea pyramid) because ideas are not products. You still have to bring them to life. Many products born of great ideas fail in their execution, like Samsung’s infamous Galaxy Note 7 smartphone. The product shipped and received rave reviews in the media—that is, until the batteries started catching on fire. Whoops.

But a product doesn’t have to explode to be an execution failure. Some products just don’t work quite the way they are supposed to, and the root cause can often be something small. This is one of the challenges of product development: a lot can be right, but if one critical thing is off, it can tank the whole thing. It’s hard to keep your eye on everything, which is why we have developed a model called the Execution Gap Model to help with these types of diagnoses. 

To learn how to use the model and avoid execution failures, check out Winning Digital Customers by Howard Tiersky. The book outlines a proven process for developing products that delight customers. Go to www.WinningDigitalCustomers.com to buy the book today!