The LNO Framework Explained by Shreyas Doshi

The LNO Framework is one of the best frameworks for PMs to focus on the right work and decisions. Shreyas Doshi discovered the LNO Framework while working at Google.

As Shreyas Doshi said,

You can increase your impact on the organization (and reduce the tremendous stress that often accompanies the PM job) by avoiding the trap of doing a great job on all tasks (and even features). Seek leverage, actively try to do a bad job for certain tasks.

The person behind the framework

Shreyas has over 15 years of experience as a product manager & PM leader; he has led & scaled products at Stripe, Twitter, Google, and Yahoo. He was an early member of the PM team at Stripe, and as Stripe's first PM Manager, he even established product management as a function there.

Born in Mumbai, India, Shreyas Doshi obtained a degree in computer engineering, went to the United States to pursue a PhD in computer science, and joined the tech industry by helping startups as a software engineer.

He now advises fast-growing startups globally and creates content and courses based on his successful experiences in building products and teams in different industries. Over the past decade, Shreyas has coached hundreds of PMs and PM leaders in making career choices.

LNO Framework - Overview

LNO Framework is a method to fight procrastination and set up your task list differently. Unlike other prioritization methods like the Eisenhower Matrix, this specific framework stresses not only time but also quality.

In fact: tasks are not created equal.

Not all tasks carry equal importance. Therefore, treating them all equally would be inefficient.

The main question is: "How impactful will the result of this task be for my business?". Therefore, the focus is to allocate the most effort to those that multiply your impact and spend less on easy, quick tasks that could have taken more if no such prioritization system was in place.

The LNO Framework classifies tasks into 3 different types:

• Leverage “L” tasks are those you need to put the most focus on because they’re the ones where your sense of perfectionism and proficiency are solicited. This is the type of task you want to achieve in the best way possible to produce an exquisite piece of work.

• Neutral “N” tasks require you to do your job just as you would normally do: strictly perfect. This type of task usually requires more time than abilities (being in charge of meeting notes and refining the virtual workspace). Do it with your usual efficiency so you have more time for Leverage.

• Overhead “O” tasks, on the other hand, must be done without really putting effort into quality. Think of it as an important task that can be done quickly, without much thinking. As Shreyas puts it, since you’re a perfectionist, you should end up doing a normal, OK-tier job.

Here is an example of a daily product manager to-do list. Clean and simple, but the tasks remain different, and some are definitely less important than others. With a list like this, you’ll simply go through them the same way, with the same focus & energy. LNO permits you to organize your time better by defining what needs more or less focus.

Shreyas points out that many product managers who overlook this framework tend to spend excessive time addressing execution issues rather than refining their strategy, leading to the common excuse of "not having enough time." Whether it's due to a heavy meeting schedule or excessive focus on specific tasks, the underlying fear often lies in tackling tasks that could potentially disrupt established processes or alter the product's foundation.

To overcome procrastination, Shreyas recommends breaking away from your usual office environment when tackling these specific tasks. By distancing yourself from typical workplace distractions, you can liberate your focus and enhance productivity.

Common pitfalls of prioritization

Prioritizing what to do and what to focus on is at the core of this framework, and Shreyas has significant experience in fine-tuning teams by leading them the right way.

However, there are some pitfalls when it comes to prioritization. Things like over-engineering the process and not considering constraints lead to the fixation effect & bad communication.

In Lenny Rachitsky ’s podcast, Shreyas was asked about what to avoid prioritizing what to do in most companies in recent times.

Shreya’s view revolves around minimizing opportunity cost rather than solely relying on good ROIs (value created higher than your time spent doing the task). He showcases Lenny and the audience a formula that can define if you prioritize correctly in relation to your business

• (Value created - Cost of your time) / Time taken (cost of your time)

Thanks to this formula, you can pick things that are way more important and put way more value into your work when thinking about low opportunity costs. For Shreyas, being ROI-focused makes you ask yourself, “Am I doing the right thing?”. Meanwhile, low opportunity cost focus asks yourself: “Am I doing the right thing?”

Takeaways

Needless to say, we can think of a wide variety of tasks when it comes to being a product manager. Even if the to-do list seems never to end, this is what drives the passion for the product: continuous discovery, strategy refining, detailing and managing tasks.

Implementing the LNO (Less is More) approach is not only one of several frameworks available to enhance your product management skills, but it also enables you to allocate more time for yourself. It serves as a valuable reminder that not all tasks require exceptional performance; overhead tasks, in particular, are designed to be completed with less time and effort.

Increase your impact and take full control of your life by using LNO!

As Shreyas Doshi  said,

“This framework improved the quality of my life as a PM & my work more than anything else I’ve encountered.”.