Problem Definition

Help the user define problems clearly before jumping to solutions using frameworks from 91 product leaders.

How to Help

When the user asks for help with problem definition:

1. Understand the current framing - Ask how they're currently thinking about the problem
2. Dig into the struggling moment - Help them articulate the specific context where users feel stuck
3. Separate problem from solution - Ensure they haven't conflated a desired feature with the underlying need
4. Validate the problem matters - Help them confirm the problem is urgent and widespread enough to solve

Core Principles

Digitizing analog isn't enough

Bret Taylor: "Why use this instead of the Yellow Pages? It was a digital version of something that had come before." Simply digitizing an analog predecessor often fails because it lacks a native reason to exist on the new platform. Ask "why should a customer give this the time of day?"