John Cutler · 9 min read · Product Strategy
TBM 420: The AI Playbook Puzzle
Read the original on cutlefish.substack.com →
The piece argues that generic 'how to AI' playbooks miss the point; AI should sharpen strategy and decision-making, not rubber-stamp broken processes. It critiques governance plans that bolt AI onto existing patterns and highlights the value of living documents, prototyping, and outcome-focused thinking, with a real comparison between misused AI and a team using AI to automate repetitive work.
Key Takeaways
- AI strategy must be decision-centric and outcome-focused, not a static checklist or slide deck.
- Avoid reproducing decades-old patterns; use AI to support living context, continuous co-design, and real prototyping.
- Governance should be sharpened by AI, not become new gates that enforce bad processes.
- AI can remove friction by automating repetitive tasks, but without thoughtful design it can accelerate bad ideas.
Excerpt
I’ll be hosting a small TBM pop-up meetup next week in San Francisco (financial district) on Wednesday, May 6th. Let me know if you’re interested . I might be able to find a sponsor. The theme: multi-player mode AI. SF TBM POPUP The AI Playbook Everyone wants tactical advice on “how to AI.” But I keep arriving at the same conclusion. We already know a lot, but struggle to explain it in the new context. We don’t know a lot, but aren’t willing to sit with that uncertainty. And the biggest threat is identity threat. Most of the “tactical advice”…