What’s your problem?! Don’t worry, the only thing we’re trying to start here is a thought process.

To have a successful start-up product, your problem must sit at the heart of every plan, every decision and every move.

And if you don’t find a problem worth solving, you won’t have a product worth marketing.

The first and most important test of this? Writing your problem statement.

Go specific or go home

There is nowhere to hide in a problem statement. Investors want specifics. Stakeholders want specifics. Your product development team certainly needs specifics.

If you don’t feel able to be precise about what you plan to do? Stop! Do not pass go! Take this as a sign that more research is required. You may even need to decide whether this idea is worth your time.

A problem statement nails down the what, who, why and how

Carve out at least half a day with your team to boil your ideas down to:

• WHAT the problem is – and the scale of this problem
• WHO the users who experience this problem are
• WHY those users need your proposed solution
• HOW your solution will be better than those of your competitors

Keep it short. You’re looking for two to three concise sentences.

Use plain language. Ban buzzwords and anything vague but impressive sounding.

Focus on the target user. Remember, this product is not about you, your team or your goals.

A good problem statement can help bring investment onboard, align your team’s efforts and anchor your decision-making during the design process. At step one, you’ll already be waaaaaay ahead of the game.

Talk to us about your problems

Intrface provides end-to-end strategic product consultancy, from helping you nail your initial problem statement through to product maturity and beyond.

Wherever you are in the product lifecycle, we can help, so let’s talk! [email protected]