3/8/25
Let the user problem drive the solution
If you want to build something that will change lives, that people love, you need to get to the core of what matters to users. Bad product decisions often happen when we skip discovering the core user problem. Once identified, staying true to it is everything.
Discover
Engage with users, listen to their struggles, and observe their behavior. Use surveys, interviews, or even Reddit to uncover what really matters to users to improve your product.
"If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions."
Albert Einstein
Write
A clear problem statement keeps the team focused on the objective. It should define who the problem affects, what the pain points are, and why it’s important. Be specific and measurable and avoid vague statements. A strong problem statement guides the design process and ensures alignment across the team.
Examples:
As a user, I need an easy way to navigate the app without feeling lost, so I can complete my task quickly without frustration.
As a new user, I need guidance through onboarding, so I don’t feel overwhelmed and abandon the app.
Build
Once the problem is clear, use it to guide every design decision. If a choice doesn’t solve the problem, it doesn’t belong. Keep referring back to the problem to stay aligned and focused throughout the project:
Examples:
At the Start of the Project
When presenting the first draft of the problem space, ask: "As a new user, I need guidance through onboarding, so I don’t feel overwhelmed and abandon the app." Use this problem statement to frame all discussions and ensure everyone understands the core issue from the outset.
In a Design Critique or review
Before presenting visuals or prototypes, communicate the problem you aim to solve. "Does this design choice directly solve the problem of confusing onboarding?" Keeping the problem front and center in critiques helps teams stay focused and prevents distractions by non-essential feedback.
During Development and Shipping
As you move towards development and shipping, keep checking the design’s impact on the user problem: "Is this feature still addressing the problem we identified, or has the solution shifted?"This ensures that, even as the design evolves through the technical process, it remains aligned with solving the core user problem.
Success Stories
As a user, I need a way to collect and organize my ideas and inspirations visually, so I can refer to them easily later.
Solution: Pinterest allowed me to create boards to pin and organize images and ideas from around the web.
Uber
As a rider, I need a reliable and convenient way to book a ride without waiting too long or dealing with cash.
Solution: Uber offered an on-demand ride service that lets me request a ride instantly via an app and pay automatically.