Discovery Workflow
4-Phase Overview
PHASE 1 PHASE 2 PHASE 3 PHASE 4
Problem Validation Opportunity Mapping Solution Testing Market Viability
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"Is this real?" "Which matters?" "Does it work?" "Viable business?"Phase Details
Phase 1: Problem Validation
Duration: 1-2 weeks | Min interviews: 5 | Techniques: Mom Test, Job Mapping Core question: Is this a real problem worth solving?
Phase 2: Opportunity Mapping
Duration: 1-2 weeks | Min interviews: 10 cumulative | Techniques: OST, Opportunity Algorithm Core question: Which problems matter most?
Phase 3: Solution Testing
Duration: 2-4 weeks | Min interviews: 5 per iteration | Techniques: hypothesis testing, prototypes Core question: Does our solution actually work?
Phase 4: Market Viability
Duration: 2-4 weeks | Min interviews: 5 + stakeholders | Techniques: Lean Canvas, 4 Big Risks Core question: Can we build a viable business?
Decision Gates
G1: Problem to Opportunity
Proceed: 5+ confirm pain + willingness to pay | Pivot: problem differs from expected | Kill: <20% confirm
G2: Opportunity to Solution
Proceed: top 2-3 score >8 (max 20) | Pivot: new opportunities discovered | Kill: all low-value Scoring: Score = Importance + Max(0, Importance - Satisfaction). Each 1-10. >8 = high importance with satisfaction gap.
G3: Solution to Viability
Proceed: >80% task completion, usability validated | Pivot: needs refinement | Kill: fundamental blocks
G4: Viability to Build
Proceed: all 4 risks addressed, model validated | Pivot: model needs adjustment | Kill: no viable model
Success Metrics
Phase 1: Problem Validation
| Metric | Target | |--------|--------| | Problem confirmation | >60% (3+ of 5) | | Frequency | Weekly+ | | Current spending | >$0 on workarounds | | Emotional intensity | Frustration evident |
Done when: 5+ interviews, >60% confirmation, articulated in customer words, 3+ examples. Threshold: 60% aligns with Mom Test -- 3/5 consistent signals = proceed, <20% = kill. Combined with qualitative markers.
Phase 2: Opportunity Mapping
| Metric | Target | |--------|--------| | Opportunities identified | 5+ distinct | | Top scores | >8 / max 20 | | Job step coverage | 80%+ | | Strategic alignment | Stakeholder confirmed |
Done when: OST complete, top 2-3 prioritized, team aligned.
Phase 3: Solution Testing
| Metric | Target | |--------|--------| | Task completion | >80% | | Value perception | >70% "would use/buy" | | Comprehension | <10 sec to understand | | Key assumptions validated | >80% proven |
Done when: 5+ users per iteration, core flow usable, value + feasibility confirmed.
Phase 4: Market Viability
| Metric | Target | |--------|--------| | Four big risks | All green/yellow | | Channel validated | 1+ viable | | Unit economics | LTV > 3x CAC (estimated) | | Stakeholder signoff | Legal, finance, ops |
Done when: Lean Canvas complete, all risks acceptable, go/no-go documented.
State Tracking Schema
current_phase: "1|2|3|4"
phase_started: "ISO timestamp"
interviews_completed: "count by phase"
assumptions_tracked: "list with risk scores"
opportunities_identified: "list with scores"
decision_gates_evaluated: "G1|G2|G3|G4 status"
artifacts_created: "list of file paths"Phase Transition Requirements
| Transition | Gate | Requirements | |-----------|------|-------------| | 1 to 2 | G1 | 5+ interviews, >60% confirmation, customer words, 3+ examples | | 2 to 3 | G2 | OST complete, top 2-3 identified, scores >8, team alignment | | 3 to 4 | G3 | 5+ users tested, >80% task completion, core flow usable, validated | | 4 to handoff | G4 | Lean Canvas complete, 4 risks acceptable, go/no-go, stakeholder sign-off |