Phase 1: Find a Problem Worth Solving Execution Toolkits

Building a SaaS business doesn’t start with building software.

It starts with finding a real problem that a specific group of people urgently wants solved.

These execution toolkits are designed to help you move from a vague idea to a clearly defined, validated problem worth building a SaaS solution around.

Important

Don’t use these toolkits independently of the roadmap.

The roadmap teaches you what to learn, why it matters, and when to do it.

The toolkit helps you apply what you’ve learned and produce the output needed to move forward.

Use them side by side.

Execution Toolkits for this phase

1.  Problem Opportunity Finder

Identify and evaluate potential SaaS problems worth solving.

Open Toolkit | Go back to the Finding Problems Worth Solving Roadmap

2.  Buyer Motivation Mapper

Understand what motivates your target users to act, or not act.

Open Toolkit | Go back to the Buyer Motivation Roadmap

3.  Customer Empathy Map

Capture what your target users think, feel, say and do.

Open Toolkit | Go back to the Customer Empathy Roadmap

4.  Jobs-to-be-Done Canvas

Identify what users are really trying to accomplish when they choose a solution.

Open Toolkit | Go back to the Jobs-to-be-Done Roadmap

5.  Customer Discovery Interview Kit

Structure conversations that help you replace assumptions with customer evidence.

Open Toolkit | Go back to the Customer Discovery Roadmap

6.  Problem Prioritization Matrix

Compare potential problems and identify which one deserves attention first.

Open Toolkit | Go back to the Problem Prioritization Roadmap

7. Problem Mapping Canvas

Map related user problems and identify the strongest opportunity areas.

Open Toolkit | Go back to the Problem Mapping Roadmap

8. Problem Framing Canvas

Turn a broad problem into a clearly defined problem worth solving.

Open Toolkit | Go back to the Problem Framing Roadmap

9. Problem Validation Toolkit

Gather evidence to determine whether the problem is important enough to build around.

Open Toolkit | Go back to the Problem Validation Roadmap

By the end of this phase, you shouldn’t simply have a SaaS idea.

You should have:

• A clearly defined customer.
• A real problem.
• Evidence that the problem matters.
• A clear understanding of why people want it solved.
• A validated problem worth building around.

That’s when you move from I have an idea to I have a problem worth building a business around.

Next: Build a Solution People Will Pay For