solution-interview

What this skill does

# Solution Interview

> Test if your solution actually solves the validated problem before building the full product. Master the art of showing concepts and prototypes to get honest feedback on solution fit.

## When to Use This Skill

- **After problem interviews** to test if your solution addresses validated problems
- **Before building MVP** to validate core value proposition
- **Prototype testing** to get feedback on concepts and mockups
- **Feature validation** to test if new features solve real problems
- **Pivoting** to test alternative solutions to the same problem
- **Pricing discovery** to understand willingness to pay

## Methodology Foundation

| Aspect | Details |
|--------|---------|
| **Source** | Cindy Alvarez - "Lean Customer Development" (2014), Steve Blank - Customer Development |
| **Core Principle** | "Show, don't tell. Let customers react to something tangible. Their reactions—not their words—reveal the truth." |
| **Why This Matters** | People can't accurately predict their behavior. By showing a prototype and observing reactions, you get real signal about whether your solution works. |


## What Claude Does vs What You Decide

| Claude Does | You Decide |
|-------------|------------|
| Structures production workflow | Final creative direction |
| Suggests technical approaches | Equipment and tool choices |
| Creates templates and checklists | Quality standards |
| Identifies best practices | Brand/voice decisions |
| Generates script outlines | Final script approval |

## What This Skill Does

1. **Structures solution demos** - How to present concepts effectively
2. **Captures honest reactions** - Gets real feedback, not politeness
3. **Identifies gaps and issues** - What's missing or wrong
4. **Tests willingness to pay** - Early pricing validation
5. **Measures solution fit** - Does this actually solve the problem?
6. **Generates product insights** - What to build, what to skip

## How to Use

### Prepare Solution Interview Script
```
I've validated this problem: [problem]
My proposed solution: [solution concept]
Create a solution interview script to test fit.
Include how to demo and what reactions to look for.
```

### Analyze Solution Interview Results
```
I showed my prototype to [X] people. Here's the feedback: [summary]
Analyze solution fit. Should I proceed to MVP?
```

### Create a Solution Interview Prototype
```
Help me create the minimum viable demo for solution interviews:
Problem: [validated problem]
Solution concept: [idea]
What should I show? What level of fidelity is needed?
```

## Instructions

### Step 1: Confirm Problem Validation First

```
## Pre-Requisite Check

### Do NOT start solution interviews until:
- [ ] Completed 10+ problem interviews
- [ ] Problem validation scorecard passes:
  - [ ] >70% mentioned problem unprompted
  - [ ] Average severity >7/10
  - [ ] >30% actively seeking solutions
- [ ] Clear problem statement documented
- [ ] Target persona defined

### Why This Matters
If you test solutions without validated problems, you'll get:
- False positives ("sure, that looks nice")
- No ability to connect solution to real pain
- Wasted time building the wrong thing

### Problem Summary for This Interview
**Validated Problem:** ________________________________
**Severity Score:** __/10
**Who Has It:** [Persona description]
**What They Do Today:** [Current solution]
```

---

### Step 2: Create Your Solution Demo

```
## What to Demo

### Fidelity Levels

| Level | What It Is | When to Use | Time to Create |
|-------|------------|-------------|----------------|
| **Concept** | Verbal description + whiteboard | Very early, exploring directions | 30 min |
| **Paper** | Sketches, wireframes | Early concept validation | 2-4 hours |
| **Clickable** | Figma/InVision prototype | Testing workflows and features | 1-2 days |
| **Wizard of Oz** | Human behind the curtain | Testing value prop before building | 1-3 days |
| **Concierge** | You do it manually for them | Testing if solution works at all | 1+ week |
| **MVP** | Basic working product | Testing if they'll pay | 2+ weeks |

### What to Show

**DO Show:**
- Core value proposition in action
- The main workflow/interaction
- How it solves their specific problem
- Just enough to get a reaction

**DON'T Show:**
- Every feature you plan to build
- Polished design (distracts from function)
- Pricing (usually—test separately)
- Your roadmap (creates false expectations)

### Demo Script Template

"Before I show you anything, let me make sure I understand your problem.
[Recap validated problem in their words]
Does that sound right? [Confirm]

What I want to show you is rough—it's not a real product yet.
I'm interested in your honest reaction, even if it's negative.
The worst thing you could do is be polite.

[Demo the core concept - 2-3 minutes max]

Now I want to understand your reaction..."
```

---

### Step 3: Run the Solution Interview

```
## Solution Interview Structure (30-45 minutes)

### Part 1: Problem Recap (5 min)
"Last time we talked about [problem]. Since then, has anything changed?"
"What have you tried to solve this?"
Goal: Re-anchor to the problem, confirm it's still relevant

### Part 2: Solution Demo (5-10 min)
"I want to show you something we're exploring..."
[Demo core concept]
"What's your initial reaction?"
Goal: Present solution, capture immediate reaction

### Part 3: Feedback Deep Dive (15-20 min)
"What stood out to you?"
"What concerns you?"
"What's missing?"
"How would this fit into your current workflow?"
Goal: Understand fit, gaps, objections

### Part 4: Comparison to Current (5 min)
"How does this compare to what you do today?"
"Would this replace [current solution] or add to it?"
"What would have to be true for you to switch?"
Goal: Understand switching behavior

### Part 5: Commitment Testing (5 min)
"If this existed today, what would you do?"
"Would you be willing to try an early version?"
"What would it be worth to you if it worked?"
Goal: Test real interest with commitment asks

### Part 6: Next Steps (2 min)
"Can I follow up when we have something more complete?"
"Who else should I show this to?"
Goal: Get permission for follow-up, referrals
```

---

### Step 4: Key Questions by Interview Phase

```
## Solution Interview Questions

### Reaction Questions (Initial)
- "What's your first reaction?"
- "What stood out to you?"
- "What surprised you?"
- "What concerned you?"

**Watch for:**
- Immediate positive vs. confused
- Questions they ask (what do they care about?)
- Body language (leaning in vs. back)

### Understanding Questions (Comprehension)
- "In your own words, what does this do?"
- "How would you explain this to a colleague?"
- "What problem does this solve?"

**Red flags:**
- They can't explain it = too complex
- They describe it differently than intended = messaging problem
- They describe features, not benefits = not connecting to their problem

### Fit Questions (Solution-Problem Fit)
- "Does this solve the problem we discussed?"
- "What would be different about your day/week if you had this?"
- "Where does this fit in your current workflow?"
- "What would you stop doing if you had this?"

**Strong signals:**
- They can immediately see where it fits
- They describe specific situations it would help
- They identify things they'd stop doing (replacing current behavior)

### Gap Questions (What's Missing)
- "What's missing?"
- "What would prevent you from using this?"
- "What would make this a no-brainer?"
- "What's the most important thing we should build first?"

**Listen for:**
- Must-have features vs. nice-to-haves
- Deal-breaker gaps
- Unexpected use cases

### Concern Questions (Objections)
- "What worries you about this?"
- "What could go wrong?"
- "What would your [boss/team/IT] think?"

**Listen for:**
- Technical concerns (security, integrations)
- Organizational concerns (adoption, approval)
- Personal concerns (learning curve, change)

### Comparison Questions (vs. Alternatives)
- "How does this