Opportunity
Solutions
tree
Time
⏲
1-2 Days
Difficulty
🕹
Medium
Materials
📦
Figjam or Miro
Spreadsheet to track responses
People
🕴
Product, Design, Engineer
Overview
It is a way of figuring out what to focus on next by visualizing possible solutions to a particular problem.
What
Opportunity solutions trees (OST)s are a simple way of visually representing the paths you might take to reach a desired outcome. They are a way of mapping out possible solutions for desired business outcomes by mapping out the business need. This is an outcome that reflects a place where your team can create value for the business. Next come the opportunity space which is the customer needs and beyond that is the solution space.
Why
It is a way of figuring out what to focus on next by visualizing possible solutions to a particular problem.
When
The Opportunity Solution Tree is most commonly used during the early stages of the product development cycle, specifically during the ideation and opportunity evaluation phases. Here’s a breakdown of when it’s most appropriate to implement an OST:
- Problem Identification: The OST can be utilized as a tool to help identify and define the problems or opportunities that need to be addressed. It assists in organizing and categorizing potential problem areas or market gaps, allowing teams to understand the scope of the challenges they are trying to solve.
- Ideation: Once the problems or opportunities are identified, the OST can be employed to generate a wide range of solution options. It helps in divergent thinking by providing a structured framework to brainstorm and capture different ideas. Each branch of the OST can represent a solution category, allowing the team to explore various directions for potential solutions.
- Opportunity Evaluation: After ideation, the OST becomes particularly valuable for evaluating and prioritizing the generated solution options. It facilitates a systematic approach to assess the feasibility, desirability, and viability of each solution. The OST provides a visual representation of the potential solutions, allowing teams to compare and contrast them based on defined criteria.
By implementing an OST during the early stages of the product development cycle, teams can gain a comprehensive overview of the potential solutions available and make informed decisions on which ideas to pursue further. The OST provides a structured framework for organizing ideas, evaluating opportunities, and setting the direction for the subsequent stages of product development, such as prototyping, testing, and implementation. It ensures that the chosen solutions align with user needs, business goals, and market dynamics, setting the stage for a successful product development journey.
Steps
Step 1 Identify the problem or opportunity
Start by clearly defining the problem you want to solve or the opportunity you want to pursue. This could be a customer pain point, a market gap, or a specific need that you aim to address.
Step 2 Brainstorm potential solutions
Gather a diverse team of stakeholders, including product managers, designers, engineers, marketers, and customer representatives. Conduct brainstorming sessions to generate a wide range of potential solutions. Encourage participants to think creatively and explore both incremental improvements and disruptive ideas.
Step 3 Create a tree structure
Draw a tree-like diagram on a whiteboard, poster, or digital tool. The trunk of the tree represents the identified problem or opportunity. From the trunk, create branches that represent different solution categories or themes. These branches can be based on customer segments, product features, technological advancements, or any other relevant factors.
Step 4 Generate solution options
Along each branch, list specific solution options or ideas that fall within the corresponding category or theme. Encourage the team to think broadly and capture as many ideas as possible. This can include potential product features, process improvements, business models, partnerships, or even customer engagement strategies.
Step 5 Evaluate and prioritize solutions
Assess each solution option based on various criteria such as customer desirability, technical feasibility, business viability, and strategic alignment. Use techniques like scoring, ranking, or voting to prioritize the solutions. Consider the potential impact, risks, resources required, and timeline for implementation.
Step 6 Expand and refine
For each prioritized solution, expand on the details and refine the concept further. Define the problem it solves, its unique value proposition, key features, potential market size, competitive advantages, and revenue model. This helps in better understanding and communicating the solution to stakeholders.
Step 7 Iterate and refine the tree
As the product development process progresses, iterate on the opportunity solution tree. Update and modify the tree structure, branches, and solution options based on new insights, user feedback, market research, or technological advancements. This ensures the tree remains dynamic and adaptive to changing circumstances.
Step 8 Execution and implementation
Once you have selected the most promising solutions, proceed with the execution and implementation phase. Create a roadmap, develop prototypes or minimum viable products (MVPs), conduct user testing, and refine the solutions based on feedback. Continuously monitor and evaluate the progress to ensure that the solutions are achieving the desired outcomes.
Resources
Tools
Miro
Figma
Whiteboard