# Foundation Sprint Differentiation: [Initiative name] (Day 1 Afternoon)

<!-- Day 1 afternoon bundled artifact. The team converts the Basics frame into a defensible strategic position. -->

## Scored Differentiator Candidates

Score scale: 1 (weak signal) to 5 (very strong signal).

| Differentiator | Customer pull | Team can deliver | Hard to copy | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Candidate 1] | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| [Candidate 2] | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| [Candidate 3] | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| [Candidate 4] | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| [Candidate 5] | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| [Candidate 6] | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| [Candidate 7] | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| [Candidate 8] | _ | _ | _ | _ |

[Top 5-7 advance to the note-and-vote in Step 3.]

## Chosen Two Differentiators

**1. [First chosen differentiator].**
[One paragraph naming the differentiator, what makes it customer-perceived, and why the team can deliver. Evidence from Basics: cite the specific customer pain or advantage this responds to.]

**2. [Second chosen differentiator].**
[One paragraph; same structure.]

## 2x2 Differentiation Chart

```text
                  HIGH [Differentiator 1]
                          |
                          |
                          |          [Our product position]
                          |              .
                          |
                          |
  HIGH [Differentiator 2] +  LOW [Differentiator 2]
                          |
                          |              [Competitor X]
                          |              [Competitor Y]
                          |
       [Competitor Z]     |
                          |              [Competitor W]
                          |
                          |
                  LOW [Differentiator 1]
```

Customer plotted alternatives:

- **[Competitor 1]**: [position rationale]
- **[Competitor 2]**: [position rationale]
- **[Substitute or paper alternative]**: [position rationale]
- **"Do nothing" baseline**: [position rationale; often off-chart or at origin]

[The product occupies the quadrant: [name the unoccupied quadrant]. The team commits to defending this position.]

## Decision Principles

The team committed to [3-5] principles that operationalize the differentiation:

1. **[Principle 1].** [One-line operational rule. Names an explicit "we will choose X over Y" trade-off.]
2. **[Principle 2].** [...]
3. **[Principle 3].** [...]
4. **[Principle 4].** (Optional fourth principle)
5. **[Principle 5].** (Optional fifth principle)

Principles are decision-making rules for future product calls, not marketing copy.

## Mini Manifesto

> **[Product name] is for [target customer] who want a tool that respects that.**
>
> [One paragraph naming the strategic belief that drives the team. Tone is plain, declarative, and direct.]
>
> [One paragraph naming what the product IS: the two differentiators expressed as customer-perceived outcomes.]
>
> [One paragraph naming what the product IS NOT. This is the part teams skip and shouldn't. It says explicitly what the team is choosing against.]
>
> [Optional fourth paragraph: closing line for the customer.]

## Note-and-Vote Trace (Decisions Made This Afternoon)

| Decision | Options considered | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Two differentiators to commit to | [list] | [Two chosen; Decider supervote rationale if non-obvious] |
| Decision principles count | 3 / 5 / 7 | [Chosen count; Decider call] |

## Decider Checkpoint

**Decider sign-off required before Day 1 ends.**

- [ ] Decider confirms the two committed differentiators.
- [ ] Decider confirms the 2x2 chart is the canonical positioning artifact for Day 2.
- [ ] Decider confirms the [3-5] decision principles are non-negotiable for Approach Options tomorrow.
- [ ] Decider signs the Mini Manifesto as the Day 1 strategic summary.

**Signed:** [Decider name, role], [ISO date and local time]
