If I were building a fund today, I’d publish my entire playbook. Publicly. No paywall. No NDA.

No “proprietary IP” nonsense. Just out in the open for anyone to use.

Why?
Because in 2025, opacity isn’t a competitive advantage, it’s a liability.

Most funds still act like their diligence framework is the nuclear codes. The truth? Everyone’s using the same ingredients: hire a CRO, fix pricing, clean up reporting, bolt on a few tuck-ins, exit at a multiple.

But publishing your playbook isn’t about giving away your edge. It’s about proving you actually have one.

Here’s why it works:

1. You attract better deals.
Founders don’t want vague promises. They want clarity, transparency, and a roadmap. Show them exactly how you’ll create value, and they’ll come to you.

2. You build trust with LPs.
Most LP pitch decks are PowerPoint theatre. Publish your actual playbook, with real case studies and measurable outcomes? That’s how you raise your next fund faster.

3. You force operational discipline.
If you say publicly, “This is how we run our companies”, you’re more likely to follow it. Transparency breeds accountability. It keeps you honest.

4. You become a magnet for talent.
Top-tier operators want to work with funds that have a point of view, and a plan. When your playbook is public, you’re not just recruiting people, you’re recruiting believers.

5. You crowdsource improvement.
The moment you publish your model, people will poke holes in it. Good. You’ll get smarter, faster. And if your playbook can’t survive scrutiny, it probably wasn’t that great to begin with.

Secrecy is easy.
Execution is hard.

The real edge in private equity isn’t hiding your playbook. It’s being the best in the market at actually running it.

Your value creation plan isn't the Da Vinci Code.

Put it online. Let everyone copy it.

You’ll still win, because you’ll run it better.