Stay in the Problem Space
Inspired by on Lenny's Podcast
Before you buy a new high chair, ask yourself: is this actually a high chair problem?
Teresa Torres sees it constantly: product teams jump to solutions before understanding the problem. "Users can't find what they want" becomes immediately designing a new search bar.
But what if the problem isn't search? What if users don't know what they're looking for?
Parenting equivalent: your toddler is having meltdowns at dinner. Solution mode kicks in. New high chair! Different foods! Earlier mealtimes! Fancy divided plates with the little sections! (You've bought at least three of these. They're all in a cabinet somewhere.)
But what if you stayed in the problem space longer? Maybe they're overwhelmed by choices. Maybe they want to feed themselves but can't say it. Maybe they're just exhausted from daycare and need ten minutes of connection before food.
The solution you need might not be a solution at all. It might be understanding.
Teresa says 98% of people frame problems as solutions. The heart of good product - and good parenting - is getting comfortable in the problem space first.
PM Theme: Discovery over assumptions
Parenting Theme: Understanding the real problem
“I think that the heart of good product is really getting comfortable in the problem space or the opportunity space, really taking the time to frame a problem well, and to really get into what's needed before we jump to solutions.”Teresa Torres · 00:07:48
“I can tell you that 98% of people that write opportunities write them as solutions. So we tend to just really struggle with this distinction between the problem space and the solution space.”Teresa Torres · 00:07:26
