Defended Global Prioritization Model with Per-Team Computed Views

April 11, 2026 at 5:34 AMstrategyhigh

Situation

Convinced Greg that product prioritization must remain a single global list, not grouped by team. Agreed to add a computed property showing priority within each team for visibility. Fuzzball was reprioritized into top 20 in Exec meeting; Greg's remaining concern about Fuzzball not being high enough was resolved via the global+computed-property approach.

Reasoning

Global prioritization is the mechanism that reveals whether engineering is structured correctly. Per-team views are useful operationally but dangerous strategically — they let teams rationalize their own importance without facing trade-offs. The only question that matters is 'more important than what', not 'is it important'. The computed property gives Greg the team-level visibility he needs without undermining the model.

Additional Context

Followed Exec Product Prioritization meeting where Fuzzball items were moved into top 20. Greg still had concerns about Fuzzball visibility. Peter resolved via DM with the two-level approach. Greg confirmed satisfaction: 'I feel much better now. Thank you.'

Observed Evidence

Direct quotes from Peter in Slack DM with Greg: 'the problem with that is then you design your strategy based on the team structure you have. which is wrong.' and 'The only thing that matters is more important than what.' Greg confirmed: 'I feel much better now. Thank you.' Exec meeting corroborates: Fuzzball reprioritized, computed property for team views discussed.

Matching Patterns

40%
Protect Engineering Capacity(keyword match on prioritization, same category (strategy))

Confidence Breakdown

33/35
Evidence
15/30
Pattern
19/20
Source
12/15
Corroboration

Reasoning Depth Analysis

Org Signal:Teaches the org that prioritization is a forcing function for strategic trade-offs, not a feel-good exercise. 'Important' without 'more important than what' is not acceptable.
Who Affected:Product org (Bjorn/Brady) now has CEO backing for global prioritization. Engineering directors get team-level views without losing the global forcing function.
Precedent:Establishes that CIQ prioritization is global-first with team views as a computed property, not team-first with roll-up.
Consequences:The computed property is a meaningful concession that preserves Greg's ability to see team-level urgency.
Timing:Followed the Exec meeting where Fuzzball was already reprioritized — Greg's concern was partially addressed but needed the framework explanation to fully resolve.

Source

reflection

AI Confidence

79%

Related Context

💬
DM with Greg Kurtzer

slack

the problem with that is then you design your strategy based on the team structure you have. which is wrong. Teams should shift to fit needs.

💬
DM with Greg Kurtzer

slack

saying something is 'important' is a completely completely valueless statement - I spent 3 years breaking Bjorn of the habit. The only thing that matters is 'more important than what'.

🎥
Exec Product Prioritization Discussion

fathom

Fuzzball items moved into top 20. New rule: nothing over 100. RLC AI Performance is #1 priority.

Outcome

No outcome recorded yet.

Decision ID: c6a444bc-84f9-4e3e-adab-8e965334c400