Frameworks: When to Use Them, When to Break Them

Frameworks are everywhere in product management, from Business Model Canvases to Opportunity Solution Trees to Jobs to Be Done, and they promise structure, clarity, and efficiency. But what happens when they become rigid recipes that stifle creativity and slow down progress? In this episode, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres explore the pros and cons of product frameworks and share how to make them work for you—rather than against you. Join us as we discuss: ✅ Why frameworks are helpful when you’re learning but can hold you back as you gain experience ✅ How to adapt frameworks to fit your team’s needs and context ✅ When it’s time to break free from a framework and create your own ✅ Why the real value of frameworks lies in sparking meaningful conversations—not in filling out every box ✅ How to avoid the trap of treating frameworks as rigid recipes and instead use them as scaffolding for learning Whether you’re new to product management or a seasoned pro, this conversation will help you use frameworks more effectively, avoid common pitfalls, and find the freedom to innovate.