You have an idea. It feels right, innovative, smart, maybe even groundbreaking. You’re eager to get started. So you do.
And then, often far too late, you realize: users don’t understand your product. They don’t use it. Or worse: they don’t need it at all. What’s left is frustration, wasted energy, and a lingering sense of emptiness.
This is precisely the pain point of many digital products: they are created out of enthusiasm, but fail to meet the needs of the target group. These costs time, money, and trust. And this is exactly where problem-solution-fit comes into play.
Why is problem-solution-fit so important?
At its core, problem-solution-fit is about solving a real problem for your target group. You have to understand what your customers really need. Then you develop a solution that addresses exactly that – and check whether it actually helps.
Focusing on problem-solution-fit is crucial for several reasons:
- It reduces the risk of product failure: Many products fail because they don't solve a key problem for the target group. If you pay attention to the problem-solution-fit early on, you'll avoid creating a product that nobody wants.
- Increase customer satisfaction: If your product really helps, satisfaction and trust will increase. Your customers will come back, recommend you to others, and strengthen your brand.
- Optimizes the use of your resources: If you focus your time on the right problem, you can concentrate on what's essential. This way, you avoid features or products that are expensive and don't help anyone.
- Increases the marketability of your product: When the problem and solution fit together, you have the basis for product-market-fit. Your product helps and is needed.
With a clear focus on problem-solution-fit, you can avoid your product becoming irrelevant, wasting resources, or missing opportunities. Wouldn't it be great if you knew before writing the first line of code whether your idea was really needed? What if you could start with clarity and confidence because you know your product provides real value? That's exactly what a systematic approach allows you to do. And it starts with a clear plan.
The 5-step plan for achieving problem-solution-fit
We typically use the following 5 steps to ensure that the product we develop meets customer needs:
- Determine your starting position: Think about who your target market is and what problem really exists there.
- Formulate a hypothesis: Use your assumptions to formulate a product hypothesis.
- Test your hypothesis: Talk to users or conduct surveys.
- Evaluate the results: See what you can learn from the data.
- Make the right decisions: Use your findings to move forward in a targeted manner.
Don't skip the crucial step
In product development, problem-solution-fit is not a nice bonus, it is essential. If you take it seriously, you increase your chances of market success, satisfied users, and sustainable growth. This lays the foundation for taking the next step. Because your goal is clear: you want to achieve product-market-fit. But you can only do that if you find the problem-solution-fit first. Step by step. Clearly. And with the right focus.
Want to dive deeper? We've created a guide that provides you with concrete steps and practical tools. >> You can find it here << and yes, you have to register to get it.
