Navigating the Problem and Solution Space in Product Management

As a Product Manager, it's important to understand the distinction between the problem space and the solution space. Let's draw a clear line between the two:

Problem space

Here, the focus is to listen to your customers to understand their problems without considering the solutions. This space is entirely defined by the customers - their needs, pain points, and challenges. A Product Manager does not influence the problem space at all. Conducting interviews with target customers helps in translating their perceived problems into potential issues to be addressed. Example if your target customer is people who bike to work in Seattle, while interviewing one of the customers you found that the customer expresses a need for a better bike helmet but through further conversation, you uncovered their actual problem which was fear of getting hit by a car. Identify target customer's actual problems by taking the solution that the customer suggested and translate that into a potential problem that you can solve.

Solution space

Once the problem is clearly defined, the solution space comes into play. Here, the focus shifts to brainstorming and designing solutions to address the identified problems. It is essential to be flexible and open-minded while exploring different options, without getting too attached to one solution. The goal is to find the best way to help your customers, even if it means changing your initial ideas. Building and designing are the primary activities in this space, where you work towards solving the identified problems effectively. In the above example, the possible solution can be protected bike lanes.

Key Takeaways :

1. Focus on solving the problem rather than being attached to your solutions.

2. The ultimate goal is to achieve the best outcome for your customers, not just to build what you think exists.

3. Keep the problem and solution spaces separate to avoid building the wrong thing.

By understanding these spaces and staying focused on solving real problems for customers, Product Managers can create products that truly make a difference, ultimately delivering value to their customers.