Systematic Research Process

A structured methodology for analyzing cybersecurity markets. Five phases that transform raw data into actionable intelligence.

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Key Questions

?Where does this fit in the 6 Pillars model?
?What are the sub-segments/ribs?
?Who are the top 10 vendors by consensus?
?What is the market size and growth rate?

Research Activities

✓Identify Gartner Magic Quadrant + Forrester Wave
✓Pull IDC MarketScape and spending forecasts
✓Map to G2/TrustRadius user ratings
Output:Market map with size, segments, and vendor positioning

How It All Connects

Raw market data
↓
Structure+Dynamics+Stakeholders
↓
Economics→Product Strategy
↓
Strategic Theses & Actionable Intelligence

The Strategic Brief

15-20 page deliverable synthesizing all research

Executive Summary

2 pages
  • ○3 strategic theses in plain language
  • ○Recommended positioning for company
  • ○Why this wins in 2025-2026

Market Structure & Dynamics

4 pages
  • ○Hype cycle positioning (with visual)
  • ○Market sizing with sources ($X billion, Y% CAGR)
  • ○Key trends (Agentic SOC, Platform Consolidation, Identity-first)

Competitive Landscape

4 pages
  • ○Positioning matrix (with visual)
  • ○Top 5 competitors analyzed
  • ○Company current position and opportunity

Strategic Theses

4 pages
  • ○Thesis 1 with supporting evidence
  • ○Thesis 2 with unit economics
  • ○Thesis 3 with data flywheel diagram

Recommendation Strategy

3 pages
  • ○Specific positioning statement
  • ○Build/buy/partner decisions
  • ○18-month priority roadmap
  • ○Success metrics

Appendix

3 pages
  • ○Source bibliography
  • ○Additional vendor intelligence
  • ○Risk factors / pressure testing

Why Systematic Research?

🎯

Consistency

Same rigorous process applied to every market segment

🔍

Completeness

No blind spots: structure, motion, stakeholders, economics, product

⚡

Actionability

Every analysis ends with If I am a PM here, I need to know

See the methodology in action

View Email Security Analysis→