altitude-horizon-framework

Defines the two-axis mental model that distinguishes Director-level thinking from PM thinking: Altitude (how wide you zoom out) and Horizon (how far ahead you look). Use this to understand what actually changes in the transition, diagnose which transition zone is creating friction, and apply the Cascading Context Map when organizational direction is vague or absent.

This is not a seniority hierarchy. A PM operating at the right altitude for their role is doing excellent work. A Director operating at PM altitude is leaving their actual job undone.

| Dimension | PM (Waiter) | Director (Restaurant Operator) |

Основная ментальная модель перехода от менеджера к директору: высота (объем) и горизонт (время), смена от официанта к оператору, четыре зоны перехода, именованные режимы отказа и каскадная контекстная карта. Источник: deanpeters/product-manager-skills.