3.2.2: Strategy & Architecture Visuals

• Time to Complete: 20 minutes
• Prerequisites: Users & Product Visuals (Module 3.2.1)

Start this module in Cursor: Run /start-3-2-2 to begin the interactive experience.

Overview

Module 3.2.2 teaches you to create strategy and architecture visuals for different stakeholder audiences. CTO wants to understand the technical architecture. CEO wants to see prioritization. Board wants to see the roadmap. Different audiences, different visuals.

Key takeaway: Strategic visuals translate complex ideas into immediate clarity. The right diagram can accomplish in seconds what a 10-minute explanation cannot.

The Scenario

Your TaskFlow Mobile pitch landed. Now you have follow-up meetings:

1. CTO meeting - “How does it integrate with our existing systems?”
2. CEO meeting - “What are we building first and why?”
3. Board meeting - “What’s the 3-quarter roadmap?”

Each needs a different type of visual.

System Architecture Diagrams

What They Are

System architecture diagrams show how components connect - services, databases, APIs, external integrations. They answer “how does the technical system work?”

When to Use

• Technical deep-dives with engineering
• CTO/VP Engineering presentations
• Security and compliance reviews
• Integration planning discussions

How to Generate

Basic prompt:

Create a system architecture diagram showing [system].
Components: [list components]. Show data flow between them.
Clean technical style, suitable for [audience]. 16:9 aspect ratio.

Example - TaskFlow Mobile:

Create a system architecture diagram for TaskFlow Mobile.

Components:
- TaskFlow Mobile app (the new thing)
- TaskFlow Backend API (existing)
- PostgreSQL database
- Redis cache
- Firebase (push notifications)
- Mixpanel (analytics)

Show data flow arrows between components.
Clean technical style suitable for CTO review. 16:9 aspect ratio.

Key Elements

Style Options

Pro Tips

• Highlight what’s new: Use color or borders to distinguish new components
• Show boundaries: Group internal vs external, or by team ownership
• Keep it readable: 5-10 components max per diagram; split if needed
• Add a legend: If using colors or shapes meaningfully

Prioritization Matrices

What They Are

2x2 matrices plot items on two dimensions - typically Impact vs Effort, or Value vs Complexity. They visualize prioritization decisions.

When to Use

• Feature prioritization discussions
• Executive strategy meetings
• Planning sessions
• Stakeholder alignment

The Classic 2x2

The most common: Impact vs Effort

High Impact │  Major      │  Quick
            │  Projects   │  Wins
────────────┼─────────────┼──────────
Low Impact  │  Avoid      │  Fill-ins
            │             │
            └─────────────┴──────────
             High Effort   Low Effort

How to Generate

Basic prompt:

Create a 2x2 prioritization matrix.
X-axis: [dimension 1] (Low → High)
Y-axis: [dimension 2] (Low → High)

Quadrant labels: [list quadrants]

Plot these items:
- [Item 1]: [quadrant]
- [Item 2]: [quadrant]
...

Clean corporate style for executive presentation. 16:9 or 1:1.

Example - TaskFlow Mobile features:

Create a 2x2 prioritization matrix for TaskFlow Mobile features.

X-axis: Effort (Low → High)
Y-axis: Impact (Low → High)

Quadrants: Quick Wins (top-right), Major Projects (top-left),
Fill-ins (bottom-right), Avoid (bottom-left)

Plot these features:
Quick Wins:
- Push notifications for task updates
- Offline task viewing

Major Projects:
- Real-time sync across devices
- Team chat integration

Fill-ins:
- Custom themes
- Widget support

Avoid:
- Voice command support
- AR task visualization

Clean corporate style for CEO presentation. Square format.

Other Matrix Types

Pro Tips

• Be explicit about quadrant labels: Don’t assume Gemini knows your terminology
• Plot items clearly: List where each item belongs
• Keep it balanced: 3-5 items per quadrant looks best
• Use your style library: Save a matrix style you like for reuse

Product Roadmaps

What They Are

Product roadmaps show planned work over time - typically by quarter or month. They answer “what’s the plan and when?”

When to Use

• Board presentations
• Annual planning reviews
• Team alignment
• External stakeholder updates

Roadmap Structures

How to Generate

Basic prompt:

Create a product roadmap for [product].

Timeline: [time period]

[Period 1]: [Theme]
- [Item 1]
- [Item 2]

[Period 2]: [Theme]
- [Item 1]
- [Item 2]

...

Professional style for [audience]. 16:9 aspect ratio.

Example - TaskFlow Mobile:

Create a product roadmap for TaskFlow Mobile over 3 quarters.

Q1 - MVP Launch:
- Core task management
- Push notifications
- Offline viewing

Q2 - Team Features:
- Real-time sync
- Team chat integration
- Shared task lists

Q3 - Enterprise:
- Admin controls
- SSO integration
- Advanced analytics

Professional style suitable for board presentation.
Show clear progression from MVP to enterprise-ready.
16:9 aspect ratio.

Key Elements

Pro Tips

• Tell a story: Each phase should build logically on the previous
• Use themes: “MVP” → “Growth” → “Scale” is clearer than a feature list
• Don’t over-detail: Roadmaps are strategic, not sprint plans
• Match audience: Board sees themes; engineering sees features

Stakeholder-Specific Tips

For CTO/Engineering

• Focus on: Integration points, data flow, technical dependencies
• Include: Existing systems, APIs, databases
• Style: Technical but readable; not overwhelming
• Level: Architectural, not implementation details

For CEO/Leadership

• Focus on: Strategic decisions, prioritization rationale
• Include: Trade-offs, what you’re NOT doing
• Style: Clean, minimal, high-level
• Level: Business impact, not technical details

For Board

• Focus on: Timeline, milestones, strategic direction
• Include: Phases, key deliverables, business outcomes
• Style: Professional, polished, confident
• Level: Quarterly, not weekly

Using Your Style Library

Strategic visuals benefit enormously from consistent styling.

Save your go-to styles:

• “Executive Architecture” - clean technical diagrams
• “Corporate Matrix” - professional 2x2s
• “Board Roadmap” - polished timeline visuals

Then reuse:

Generate system architecture using style #34
Generate prioritization matrix using style #5
Generate roadmap using style #88

Consistency across stakeholder materials looks professional.

Example: Complete Stakeholder Package

CTO Deck

Asset: System architecture diagram Message: “Here’s how it integrates with our existing infrastructure”

CEO Deck

Asset: 2x2 prioritization matrix Message: “Here’s what we’re building first and why”

Board Deck

Asset: 3-quarter roadmap Message: “Here’s the path from MVP to enterprise”

Total time: 15-20 minutes for all three assets.

Best Practices

Do:

• Match style to audience - technical for engineers, clean for executives
• Tell a clear story - each visual should have one main message
• Use consistent styling - leverage your style library
• Keep it simple - complexity kills comprehension
• Iterate - first drafts are rarely final

Don’t:

• Don’t overcomplicate - 5-10 elements per visual max
• Don’t mix metaphors - pick one visual approach and stick with it
• Don’t skip labels - everything should be clearly identified
• Don’t use jargon carelessly - match the audience’s vocabulary

Troubleshooting

Architecture diagram is too cluttered

• Reduce to core components only
• Split into multiple diagrams (frontend, backend, integrations)
• Request “high-level overview, not detailed architecture”

Matrix items are overlapping

• Reduce items per quadrant (3-5 is ideal)
• Request “items clearly positioned, not overlapping”
• Use a larger format (16:9 instead of 1:1)

Roadmap doesn’t show progression

• Explicitly describe the narrative: “MVP → Growth → Scale”
• Use visual progression (left to right, small to large)
• Request “show clear evolution from phase to phase”

What’s Next?

You’ve created visuals for internal stakeholders. Now it’s time for external audiences.

Module 3.2.3 covers marketing and launch assets - app store graphics, social ads, and launch announcements.

Interactive track: Type /start-3-2-3

Resources

• SlideModel - Framework and diagram templates, screenshot and clone styles
• Miro Architecture Diagrams - Examples and templates
• Lucidchart Architecture Guide - 5 types of architecture diagrams
• EdrawMax Templates - Free system architecture templates

About This Course

Created by Carl Vellotti. Check out The Full Stack PM for more PM builder content.

Source Repository: github.com/carlvellotti/claude-code-pm-course