Purpose
The method helps clarify customer problems, solution ideas, and evidence concretely. It separates problem, assumption, solution, and evidence. The result is captured as an opportunity solution tree, experiment backlog, and learning log.
Product Discovery
Opportunity Solution Tree
Turns customer problems, solution ideas, and evidence into a tangible result by setting outcomes, collecting opportunities, and updating learning status.
Which opportunity should the team address next with which solution, and which experiment provides the next learning signal?
MediumWorkshop + async1-2 h Setup, laufend
How it works
The team follows the steps: set the outcome, collect opportunities, add solutions, define experiments, and update learning status. Each step is captured visibly. At the end, an opportunity solution tree, experiment backlog, and learning log are available so decisions, tests, or actions can follow directly.
Visual orientation
Method sketch for a quick mental model.
Increase activation
Onboarding is unclear
Value is experienced late
Guided Tour
Prototype Test
A/B Test
Setup Checklist
Fake Door
Cohort Review
Quick Win Flow
Concierge Test
Time-to-Value
Sample Data
Wizard Test
Usage Signal
Flow
- 1Set outcome
- 2Collect opportunities
- 3Add solutions
- 4Define experiments
- 5Update learning status
The runsheet guides execution with 5 phases, timeboxes, 5 pitfalls, and clear stop criteria.
Open runsheetIdeal for
- Continuous discovery
- Product triads
- Experiment planning
Not good for
- Pure delivery tracking
- Architecture documentation
Deep dive
In detail
Opportunity Solution Tree follows a clear working logic: setting the outcome, collecting opportunities, adding solutions, defining experiments, and updating learning status. This turns the method into a visible thinking process rather than only a conversation. Participants move step by step from raw material, observations, or options toward a shared structure. As a result, an opportunity solution tree, experiment backlog, and learning log support decisions, learning, or further planning.
Facilitation
Prepare a clear guiding question, the right information, and a visible workspace. Plan about 1-2 h for setup and continue with 2-6 people as needed. Use the format either in a workshop or asynchronously. The facilitation needs notable structure and preparation; short timeboxes, visible intermediate results, and a parking lot for open questions help.
Output artifacts
Opportunity Solution TreeExperiment BacklogLearning Log
Artifact templates
Opportunity Solution Tree OutlineStructure for outcome, opportunities, solutions, and experiments.canvas
Opportunity Solution Tree OutlineStructure for outcome, opportunities, solutions, and experiments.
canvasopportunity-solution-tree-outline.md
Structure for outcome, opportunities, solutions, and experiments.
Outcome
- Measurable result:
Opportunities
- Opportunity 1:
- Opportunity 2:
- Opportunity 3:
Solutions
- Solution idea per opportunity:
Experiments
- Test:
- Success criterion:
- Owner:
- Date:
When to choose differently
Short decision aid for existing alternatives.
Impact Mapping
Statt Opportunity Solution Tree, wenn du mit Impact Mapping eine Ziel-zu-Wirkung-Kette mit Stakeholdern, Outcomes und Maßnahmen strukturieren willst.
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