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Discovery · Understand the problem
Is This a Real Problem?
Use what real people told you to decide if the problem is worth your time.
- Workbook
- 7 pages
- About an hour to fill in
- Google Docs · Word · PDF
Making this yourself would take about 7 hours: working out the steps, writing the examples and setting it up in Google, Microsoft and PDF. It's done for you.
The voice in this video is George's, made with AI.
What it's for
You've talked to a few people, or watched how they work. Now you need to decide if the problem you spotted is real, small, or just something you read into what you heard.
Pairs well with
- Customer Conversation Notes (the notes this workbook works from)
- Is This Idea Worth Pursuing? (the next step once the problem holds up)
What you'll leave with
- The problem written in one plain sentence that real examples could prove wrong.
- A clear look at what keeps repeating and what doesn't.
- The strongest case that you're wrong, written by you.
- Rules, written ahead of time, for what would change your mind.
- A one-page Problem Decision Brief and one clear next step.
Look inside
How to use it
Work through the steps in order. Each one has a worked example and space to write your own answer.
- Write the Problem in Plain WordsMake it specific enough that a real example could prove part of it wrong.
- Check What People Actually Showed YouGo down the list and write what your notes really say, including how big the problem is.
- Write Down Your Three Strongest ExamplesPick moments where someone did or paid something, not just said it.
- Argue Against Your Own ProblemWrite the strongest case that you're wrong.
- Make the Problem Smaller and SharperUse the notes that didn't fit to make the problem clearer.
- Decide What Would Change Your MindWrite your rules before you make the final call.
- Tools That Help HereSee the free tools that help.
- Do It With AIUse the prompts to sort what you know from what you're only guessing.
- Your Problem Decision BriefFill in one page someone could read without your notes.
Tips
- Do it in one sitting, with all your notes in front of you.
- What people did and spent counts more than what they said they'd do.
- "Not yet" is an honest answer. It usually means you need a few more conversations.
Three formats, one purchase
- Google DocsMake a copy in your Google Drive and type straight into it.
- Microsoft WordDownload and fill it in on your computer.
- PDFPrint it and fill it in with a pen.
Discovery pack
Also in the Discovery pack
5 documents in all
How to Talk to Potential Customers
Have useful talks with people, without selling to them or pushing them toward the answer you want.
About 8 hours to make yourself
Customer Conversation Notes
Write down what people really said, and compare it across conversations.
About 7 hours to make yourself
How to Use AI to Create a Customer Avatar
Turn your real customer notes into an honest one-page profile.
About 10 hours to make yourself
Conversation Tracker
Keep track of who to talk to, when, and what you heard.
About 6 hours to make yourself
Ready to start?
Pay once, keep it, and download it as often as you like.