Hello! Welcome to this session of the Compass Definitions project where I am defining the ideal state of Cryptiquest with measurable objectives. In the last session I attempted to define the terms within the compass statements (vision, mission, and value statements) but it wasn’t working and decided to try a different approach. I ended up writing a summary of what the future of Cryptiquest looked like if there were no restrictions. Then I converted that summary into objectives. In this session I’m going to edit those objectives and draft the strategy page.

Looking back at the second session of this project, I had determined that the “ideal” state would have its own page on the company site, similar to the “brand-realized” state that is currently there.

Looking at the current strategy page, the copy opens with an explanation of what the strategy is and how it supports or achieves the vision. It’s fitting and I think something similar should go with this new page – but not until after I standardize the objectives. Here they are:

1. Cryptiquest tools are accessible to creators of any and every identity, regardless of language, ability, class, region, or societal barriers.
   
2. Cryptiquest tools, while usable for any creative endeavor, are designed specifically for use with the CQ Engine.
   
3. Cryptiquest tools work seamlessly together.
   
4. Cryptiquest tools guide creators from concept-to-design-to-production-to-release, including collaboration and sharing, for all the content within the engine.
   
5. Spread among three media types, Cryptiquest has more than four brands that are profitable.
   
6. Media generated by Cryptiquest has been done so with the assistance of the Cryptiquest content creation tools.
   
7. Media generated by Cryptiquest has upheld Cryptiquest’s values.
   
8. Cryptiquest’s reputation is that of an honest company which is known for treating its employees well, having a meaningful relationship with its audience, and is referenced positively by third parties.
   
9. Cryptiquest is easy to find when the target audience looks for it, whether that be via online search tools or at major industry events.
   
10. Cryptiquest is a trusted source of information, which partners with and employs thought leaders and industry experts.

Noted opportunities for improvement:

1. The syntax that addresses content made by Cryptiquest is inconsistent (Cryptiquest tools vs. media generated by Cryptiquest).
2. The second item would perhaps read better if the clauses were switched from “…while usable for any creative endeavor, are designed specifically for use with the CQ Engine” to “…while designed specifically for use with the CQ Engine, are usable for any creative endeavor.”
3. The third item (about working seamlessly together) should be absorbed into another item.
4. It would be nice if topics were consolidated to one item (e.g. all objectives regarding tools would be one item, rather than 4).

Let me try to work that out now. Looks like each item is about the following:

1. Inclusiveness
2. CQ Engine, Tool design
3. Seamless connection between tools
4. Scope of tool topical goals
5. Brands
6. Media as examples of tools
7. CQ Values in content
8. CQ Reputation
9. CQ Presence
10. CQ Expertise

Looking at this list, it looks like items 1 and 4 might be candidates for combination, as are items 2 and 3. I think tools should be added to item 7. Perhaps item 6 can be fleshed out more to drive home the idea of providing examples to creators? Here is the next iteration with all changes thus for in mind:

1. Cryptiquest tools are accessible to creators of any and every identity, regardless of language, ability, class, region, or societal barriers; and guide them from concept-to-design-to-production-to-release, including collaboration and sharing.

Ugh. That’s too much. Reducing the contents could jeopardize the contents. Maybe I should stick to one objective per line and then I can categorize them.

Cryptiquest Tools

1. The suite of tools work seamlessly together to guide creators from concept-to-design-to-production-to-release and includes collaboration, sharing, and game engine immersion functionality.
2. The suite of tools includes a game engine and tools in multiple formats, including 3D and paper.
3. The suite of tools is accessible to creators of any and every identity, regardless of language, ability, class, region, or societal barriers.

Cryptiquest Media

1. Media generated by Cryptiquest highlights how Cryptiquest Tools work, including draft versions when applicable.
2. Spread among three media types, Cryptiquest has more than four brands that are profitable.
3. Media generated by Cryptiquest upholds core values.

Cryptiquest Image

1. Cryptiquest’s reputation, which is supported through positive third party reviews and industry awards, is that of an honest company known for treating its employees well and having a meaningful relationship with its audience.
2. Cryptiquest has presence as it is easy to find when the target audience looks for it, whether that be via online search tools or at major industry events.
3. Cryptiquest partners with and employs thought leaders and industry experts; and is a trusted source of information.

That’s looking pretty good and I was able to get it down to the 3 by 3 format that I love so much (apparently). The next step is to add that intro paragraph. Here’s my first stab at it:

The ultimate vision for Cryptiquest includes providing creative pathways for all creators, producing multiple popular brands, and serving as a role model for others in the industry. The following objectives (categorized by tools, media, and image) paint the big picture for Cryptiquest, its vision fully realized.

I’ll send this out to a confidant for review. Okay. Here is the new version based on their response:

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The Ideal State of Cryptiquest

The ultimate vision for Cryptiquest includes: providing creative pathways for all creators; producing multiple popular brands of fictional media; and, serving as a role model for others in the industry. The following objectives paint the big picture for Cryptiquest, its vision fully realized.

Cryptiquest’s Tools

1. Our suite of tools works seamlessly together to guide creators from concept-to-design-to-production-to-release and includes collaboration and sharing functionality.
   
2. Our suite of tools includes a game engine and tools in multiple formats, including 3D and paper, which is used to create games and bring content to life.
   
3. Our suite of tools is accessible to creators of any and every identity, regardless of language, ability, class, region, or societal barriers.

Cryptiquest’s Media

1. Our media highlights how our tools work, showing the draft process using the tools (when applicable).
   
2. Spread among three media types, we have more than four brands that are profitable.
   
3. All media we have generated upholds our core values.

Cryptiquest’s Image

1. Our reputation, which is supported through positive third party reviews and industry awards, is that of an honest company known for treating its employees well and having a meaningful relationship with its audience.
   
2. We have prominent presence as our target audience can find us easily when looking for us, whether that be via online search tools or at major industry events.
   
3. We have employed and partnered with industry experts and “thought leaders” and are seen as a trusted source of information.

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I think that’s a good representation of what Cryptiquest aspires to be. In the next session, I’ll implement it on the website. See you there!

Action Items

1. Not sure how to do this reliably, but I need to figure out a way to identify if I will have a future need for data before I put it into an HTML table.

Project Notes

1. Keep an eye out for project evolution (not scope-creep) with an attempt to identify when it happens (if it happens) and if there is an opportunity to incorporate a step for that in project management documentation.
2. Direction change: The direction was originally to define each term discovered in the Compass Statements and string out an ideal state from those but this has instead gone in the opposite direction: define the ideal state first and I don’t think this is a bad thing. Perhaps the compass statements will change based on this approach.