Start with a situation, not a product
A useful problem statement describes a person, a situation, an obstacle, and a consequence. ‘Build an AI app for small businesses’ names a solution category. ‘An independent shop owner spends an hour reconciling orders after closing because sales and delivery records disagree’ gives you something to investigate.
The shop example is hypothetical. Do not present it as a finding until you have observed or verified it.
Write a testable problem statement
Use this working template:
When [specific person] tries to [job] in [situation], they struggle with [obstacle], causing [consequence]. Today they use [alternative]. We currently know this because [source].
Name a narrow first segment. ‘All consumers’ is too broad to recruit, observe, or serve consistently. Add the frequency and severity only when you have a source; otherwise label them as assumptions.
Compare the evidence, not your enthusiasm
Review each candidate problem against the same questions:
- How recently did someone experience it?
- What do they do about it today, and what does that cost?
- Who experiences the problem, who chooses the solution, and who pays?
- Can you reach those people without a large campaign?
- What would make you stop pursuing this problem?
Record both supporting and contradictory observations. A compelling story is a starting point, not proof of how common a problem is.
Run a short discovery sprint
- Select one statement and identify the least-supported claim.
- Recruit people who recently faced that situation.
- Use the interview guide to ask about actual behavior.
- Link the notes to the problem and its assumptions in your workspace.
- Decide to continue, narrow the segment, or investigate another problem.
Before you move on
You should be able to name the customer, describe the current alternative, show at least one traceable observation, and explain what remains uncertain. Assign an owner and date to the next research action. The outcome of Explore is a sharper question, not a guarantee that the business will work.
Put this into practice
Keep your evidence, decisions, and next actions together in your venture workspace.
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