Skip to content
Where-to-Play

Where-to-Play Methodology for Corporate Strategy

Where-to-play methodology: market and segment prioritization, value pool sizing, right-to-win analysis for corporate strategy.

The Where-to-Play Question Decides Everything Downstream

Most strategy programs jump to how-to-win before answering where-to-play. The result: heroic execution against poorly chosen markets. A defensible where-to-play analysis combines market sizing, value pool quantification, growth dynamics, competitive intensity, and right-to-win. Output is a prioritized list of markets and segments with explicit choices on where to invest, where to maintain, and where to exit.

Key Capabilities

01.

Market Sizing

TAM/SAM/SOM with bottom-up validation per market.

02.

Value Pool Quantification

Profit pool sizing per segment with attribution.

03.

Growth Dynamics

Market growth, structural drivers, S-curve position analysis.

04.

Competitive Intensity

Five forces, competitive concentration, profit fade analysis.

05.

Right-to-Win

Capability fit, competitive positioning, advantage analysis per market.

06.

Prioritization Output

Investment, maintain, exit decisions with documented rationale.

80+
Where-to-Play Analyses
4-Factor
Decision Matrix
8-12 Wks
Engagement
4.7/5
CEO NPS

Process

01

Market Inventory

Map all current and potential markets.

02

Sizing

TAM/SAM/SOM per market.

03

Right-to-Win

Capability and competitive analysis.

04

Prioritization

Decision matrix with investment choices.

Benefits

Defensible Choices

Quantified analysis defends executive choices.

Capital Discipline

Investment matched to value pool size.

Faster Approval

Pre-built analysis speeds board approval.

Competitive Insight

Right-to-win analysis surfaces real advantage.

Frameworks & Tools

  • Five Forces
  • TAM/SAM/SOM
  • Profit Pools
  • S-Curve

Industries

  • SaaS
  • Financial Services
  • Healthcare
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail
  • Energy

FAQ

Markets vs segments?
Both. Market choice is geographic and category. Segment choice is customer archetype within market.
Five forces still relevant?
Yes for structural analysis. Augment with platform dynamics and ecosystem analysis for digital markets.
Right-to-win quantified?
Capability scoring against critical factors. Plus competitive scoring. Reconciled into right-to-win index.
Frequency?
Annual review minimum. Major refresh every 3 years or after major market shifts.

Have a related challenge?

Bring it to a 30-minute working session with our team.

Schedule a Conversation