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| Criterion |  Business Strategy GAP Analysis |  Growth North Star Metric |  Product Strategy Counter Metrics |  Product Strategy SMART Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | GAP Analysis compares the current state with a target picture and makes the distance manageable. It becomes useful when, ahead of new initiatives, it must become clear which capabilities, processes, or resources are missing. | When product teams track many metrics, the view of the actual customer outcome easily gets lost. A North Star Metric bundles growth, usage, and value contribution into one signal that makes the system's direction visible. | When a headline metric could mask side effects, it adds guardrail signals against unwanted outcomes. It connects customer value, product logic, and decision priorities. The result is captured as a counter-metric list and guardrail definitions. | When goals are formulated too generally, it brings measurability, direction, and timing into shape. It prevents intentions from staying without clear verification. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 1-2 h | 30-60 min | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 3-8 | 2-6 | 1-8 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Gap Matrix, Action Plan, Risk Notes | North Star metric, Input metric tree, Measurement cadence | Counter Metric List, Guardrail Definitions | SMART Goal, Measurement Note, Deadline |
Tagsno overlap | StrategyAnalysisPlanning | GrowthMetricsAlignmentRetention | MetricsMeasurementStrategyExperiments | GoalsPlanningMeasurementAlignment |