H1 Planning Framework - 3-Lane Model

January 12, 2026 at 3:57 AMoperationalmedium

Situation

Introduced a new 3-lane planning model to address GTM and Engineering misalignment. Top Lane (GTM): marketing campaigns, messaging. Middle Lane (Value Drivers): the why - market state change, ICP, business significance. Bottom Lane (Engineering): deliverables driven by Value Drivers.

Reasoning

Identified systemic problem: engineering work happens without clear rationale, creating GTM misalignment and preventing accurate impact assessment. By forcing the Value Drivers lane to define the WHY before the WHAT, this prevents both aimless engineering and disconnected marketing. Creates accountability - if engineering slips, GTM can proactively adjust because they understand the dependency chain.

Additional Context

Peter sharing the template personally signals this is his initiative and expectation. Template to be used for all H1 planning.

People Involved

Nathan Blackham, Justin Haynes, Brady Dibble, Chris Wolford, Jonathon Anderson, Brian Dawson, Kelly Wall, Chris Baek

Source

reflection

AI Confidence

72%

Related Context

🎥
H1 Planning - Review of H1 Engineering and Alignment with GTM

fathom

A 3-lane model (GTM, Value Drivers, Engineering) will align teams by defining the why (Value Drivers) before the what (GTM/Eng activities).

Outcome

★★★★★(5/5)

Framework adopted by the team for H1 planning. Team fully aligned.

Recorded on January 12, 2026

Decision ID: 624f8c45-e51a-4734-8c40-3808ff57a49e