Problem or Need

Short Tip: A user problem or need that leads to the search for ideas and solutions.

What is it?

It is the user’s initial problem or need that is the beginning of conception of any solution.

Why use it?

A solution that fails to meet a user problem or need is in itself a bad solution. Identifying clearly what problem or need is being addressed is paramount.

How to use it?

Identifying the user’s problem comes from understanding who the user is, as well as their behaviors, desires and pains. The Design Sprint and Design Thinking techniques have initial stages that perform this identification and analysis.

However, if the conception team has little understanding of who the users and customers are, it is advisable to collect initial data about this audience. One of the techniques is called User Safari, which consists in having the team go to the users’ location to observe their behaviors and gain insights on their problems and needs.