Plug-In Module Selection Guide
Use this guide to select plug-in modules based on audience profile and team function. The core program (Modules 1-5) provides the foundation; plug-in modules customize the experience for specific audiences.
General Audience Selection
Audience ProfileRecommendedConsider Swapping
Product managers & product ownersPM1 (Stakeholder Mgmt), PM2 (Roadmap Governance)Module 4 (Build & Quality) if time needed
Engineering leads & architectsENG1 (Tech Debt), ENG2 (Production Excellence)Compress Module 1 discovery section
IT procurement & vendor managementOPS1 (Vendor Relationship), C (Compliance)Module 4 (Build & Quality); compress Module 5
Teams building cloud-native productsA (Cloud Migration), ENG2 (Production Excellence)Hardware examples from core modules
Teams with hardware-software productsG (HW-SW Co-Design), B (Legacy Modernization)Module 5 compressed; hardware deep-dive replaces some software focus
Regulated industry teamsC (Compliance Deep-Dive), OPS2 (ITIL Integration)Compress Module 2 architecture section
Teams integrating AI/ML capabilitiesD (AI/ML Integration), E (Product Analytics)Add as follow-up sessions
Product Management Team Training
Core program (Modules 1-5) + recommended Product Management plug-ins
Module Priority
PriorityModuleWhy
Must-HavePM1: Stakeholder Management for PMsThe defining challenge for enterprise PMs—influence without authority
Must-HavePM2: Product Roadmap GovernanceRoadmap is the PM's primary strategic artifact
High ValueE: Product Analytics & Data-Driven DecisionsData-driven PMs make better prioritization decisions
High ValueD: AI/ML Product IntegrationEvery PM needs to understand ML product lifecycle
RecommendedC: Regulatory Compliance Deep-DiveCompliance shapes product scope in regulated industries
RecommendedF: API Strategy & Platform ThinkingPlatform evolution is the growth path for many enterprise products
OptionalA: Cloud Migration & Multi-CloudRelevant when managing cloud transition products
OptionalB: Legacy ModernizationContext for PMs managing modernization initiatives
Suggested 8-Hour Configuration
SessionContentDuration
OpeningConnection, Context & Product Lifecycle Failures40 min
Module 1The Discovery Phase (core)75 min
Break15 min
Module 2Vendor Evaluation & Architecture (core)70 min
Lunch60 min
Module 3Planning & Governance (core)70 min
Break15 min
PM1Stakeholder Management for PMs35 min
PM2Product Roadmap Governance35 min
ClosingIntegration & Action Plan40 min
Module 4 (Build & Quality) and Module 5 (Go-Live) are replaced by PM1 and PM2. Core quality and operations concepts are referenced within PM2 roadmap governance discussions.
Engineering Team Training
Core program (Modules 1-5) + recommended Engineering plug-ins
Module Priority
PriorityModuleWhy
Must-HaveENG1: Technical Debt as Strategic InvestmentThe defining challenge for engineering leads—managing debt while delivering features
Must-HaveENG2: Production Excellence & SRE PracticesYou build it, you run it—production excellence is an engineering discipline
High ValueA: Cloud Migration & Multi-Cloud StrategyCloud architecture decisions shape engineering work for years
High ValueB: Legacy ModernizationMost engineering teams modernize more than they build greenfield
RecommendedD: AI/ML Product IntegrationML engineering is increasingly part of product delivery
RecommendedG: Hardware-Software Co-DesignEssential for IoT and embedded product teams
OptionalF: API Strategy & Platform ThinkingRelevant for teams building platform products
OptionalE: Product AnalyticsEngineering ownership of instrumentation and analytics infrastructure
Suggested 8-Hour Configuration
SessionContentDuration
OpeningConnection, Context & Product Lifecycle Failures40 min
Module 1The Discovery Phase (core)75 min
Break15 min
Module 2Vendor Evaluation & Architecture (core)70 min
Lunch60 min
Module 4Build & Quality (core)65 min
Break15 min
ENG1Technical Debt as Strategic Investment40 min
ENG2Production Excellence & SRE Practices40 min
ClosingIntegration & Action Plan40 min
Module 3 (Planning & Governance) and Module 5 (Go-Live) are replaced by ENG1 and ENG2. Contract and governance topics from Module 3 are referenced within the context of technical decision-making.
Alternative: Architecture-Focused Track
SessionContentDuration
OpeningConnection, Context & Product Lifecycle Failures40 min
Module 1The Discovery Phase (core)75 min
Break15 min
Module 2Vendor Evaluation & Architecture (core—extended)70 min
Lunch60 min
ACloud Migration & Multi-Cloud Strategy40 min
BLegacy Modernization & Strangler Fig40 min
Break15 min
GHardware-Software Co-Design40 min
ClosingIntegration & Action Plan40 min
For senior architects and tech leads. Skips Build & Quality basics (they know this) in favor of deep architecture and modernization content.
Operations & Procurement Team Training
Core program (Modules 1-5) + recommended Operations & Procurement plug-ins
Module Priority
PriorityModuleWhy
Must-HaveOPS1: Vendor Relationship ManagementOngoing vendor management is where procurement delivers long-term value
Must-HaveOPS2: IT Service Management & ITIL IntegrationNew products must integrate into existing ITSM frameworks
High ValueC: Regulatory Compliance Deep-DiveCompliance drives procurement requirements in regulated industries
High ValueA: Cloud Migration & Multi-Cloud StrategyCloud transitions are major operational undertakings
RecommendedB: Legacy ModernizationOperations teams manage legacy systems during modernization
RecommendedE: Product AnalyticsOperations teams benefit from data-driven capacity planning
OptionalF: API Strategy & Platform ThinkingUnderstanding platform dynamics helps evaluate vendor ecosystems
OptionalG: Hardware-Software Co-DesignRelevant for operations teams managing hardware fleet
Suggested 8-Hour Configuration
SessionContentDuration
OpeningConnection, Context & Product Lifecycle Failures40 min
Module 1The Discovery Phase (core)75 min
Break15 min
Module 2Vendor Evaluation & Architecture (core)70 min
Lunch60 min
Module 3Planning & Governance (core)70 min
Break15 min
OPS1Vendor Relationship Management35 min
OPS2IT Service Management & ITIL Integration35 min
ClosingIntegration & Action Plan40 min
Module 4 (Build & Quality) and Module 5 (Go-Live) are replaced by OPS1 and OPS2. Operations-relevant concepts from Module 5 are integrated into OPS2's ITIL discussion.
Meeting Preparation: Discussion Guide
Use this guide when meeting with each team to determine the final module selection.
1
Where is your team in the product lifecycle right now? What phase are you about to enter?
2
What has gone wrong in past product deliveries? Where did things break down?
3
Do you primarily build, buy, or integrate? What's the mix?
4
How mature is your vendor evaluation and management process?
5
What would make this training a success? What should people walk away able to do differently?
Decision Matrix
For each plug-in module, rate with the team: Relevance (1-5) and Urgency (1-5). Select the top 2-3 modules by total score. Ensure at least one 'Must-Have' is included.