Launch Positioning Builder

9 steps · start to finish.

1. 1
   Step 1

   Environment Setup

   ▶
   1. Create results_dir if it does not exist.
   2. Confirm output_path is writable.
   3. Capture the current UTC date for the positioning document filename when no explicit output_path is supplied.
   4. Initialize a validation report with stages for intake, research, synthesis, output writing, and final verification.

   mkdir -p /app/results
   python - <<'PY'
   from pathlib import Path
   for name in ['summary.md', 'validation_report.json']:
       assert Path('/app/results').exists(), 'results directory missing'
   print('environment ready')
   PY
   

2. 2
   Step 2

   Intake

   ▶

   1. **Product name + URL** — What are you positioning? 2. **One-sentence pitch** — How do you describe what you do today? 3. **Top 2-3 competitors** — Names + URLs. Who does your buyer compare you to? 4. **ICP** — Title, company type, stage (e.g., "Head of Growth at Series A B2B S

3. 3
   Step 3

   Competitive Landscape Research

   ▶

   For each competitor, capture source URLs and short evidence notes. Prefer direct competitor pages and public reviews over secondary summaries.

4. 4
   Step 4

   Positioning Framework

   ▶

   Build the positioning doc using April Dunford's framework adapted for early-stage:

5. 5
   Step 5

   Competitive Positioning Map

   ▶

   Create a 2x2 positioning matrix:

6. 6
   Step 6

   Generate the Positioning Document

   ▶

   Created: [DATE] | Trigger: [launch/rebrand/competitive shift]

7. 7
   Step 7

   Validate Outputs

   ▶

   Check that the positioning document includes a positioning statement, category rationale, competitive landscape, value propositions, proof points, audience messaging, positioning map, deployment table, and messaging guardrails. Write `/app/results/summary.md` and `/app/results/va

8. 8
   Step 8

   Iterate on Errors (max 3 rounds)

   ▶

   If validation fails, run up to max 3 rounds of targeted fixes. In each round, repair only missing or weak sections, preserve cited evidence, and re-run the validation checklist. Stop early once every required output is present and the positioning document is complete.

9. 9
   Step 9

   Final Checklist

   ▶

   Run the final verification after writing all outputs.