Complete firstProblem evidence
Understand the relevant problem and existing alternatives.
Otherwise an appealing demo is evaluated without a need.
Method guideProduct Discovery
Solution Interview
A practical method guide: clarify prerequisites and materials, understand the complete process, and look up outputs, pitfalls, and stop criteria.
ComplexityMedium
Time30-60 min je Interview
Participants5-10 Interviews
FormatWorkshop + async
MaturityEstablished
01
Prerequisite
What needs to be finished first
Complete firstTestable representation
Prepare a consistent short representation and neutral tasks.
Inconsistent sales pitches make responses incomparable.
02
Preparation
What needs to be ready before start
Materials
Concept, neutral tasks, observation sheet.
People / roles
Target participant, neutral moderator, note-taker.
Pre-read
Prepare an evidenced problem and a concrete concept that can be presented neutrally.
Time needed
30–45 minutes conversation plus 15 minutes synthesis.
Setup
Fix concept version and tasks in advance; discuss the problem incident first, then show the same representation. Record observation separately from interpretation.
03
Core question
The one question this method answers
Does the person understand the approach, and what evidenced progress could it enable in their actual context?
04
Flow
Phases with goal, actions, output and pitfall
A Solution Interview uses a concrete concept to investigate whether people understand its value and how it fits their evidenced problem and current behaviour. Approval alone does not establish demand.
Solution Interview· worksheet
Fictional example
A Solution Interview uses a concrete concept to investigate whether people understand its value and how it fits their evidenced problem and current behaviour. Approval alone does not establish demand.
Problem and current alternative
Which real case provides the comparison baseline?
Fictional: P04 missed a last-minute room change and currently uses email. Only after this account does the team show a clickable change alert.
Concept and understanding
Which version was shown and how? What was understood or done unaided?
Version 2 shows room, start time and acknowledgement. P04 locates the room but interprets acknowledgement as a binding course commitment. Moderator help is logged separately.
Fit and objections
Which concrete improvement, prerequisite and switching barrier was identified?
Objection: push notifications are silenced during travel. Value therefore depends on timing and an acceptable alternative. Another app alone does not resolve the case.
Follow-up signal and decision
Distinguish statement, observed action, fulfilled commitment and remaining uncertainty.
P04 voluntarily books an available trial session. This is an appointment, not a purchase. The team simplifies the label and tests timely notice during the pilot.
All example details are fictional and illustrate the application.
- 1
Baseline
Baseline
Goal
Problem anchor
Inputs for this step
- Existing problem evidence
Actions
- Briefly reconstruct the last problem incident and current alternative.
- Show the concept only afterwards so it does not shape recall.
Output
Problem anchor
Was the baseline recorded before the demo?
Quality check
Was the baseline recorded before the demo?
Pitfall
The demonstration presumes the supposed problem. Ask about the actual incident first.
Timing: 5–10 minutes
- 2
Understanding
Understanding
Goal
Understanding findings
Inputs for this step
- Concept and task
Actions
- Show the concept briefly and consistently; ask the person to explain value and flow in their own words.
- Wait for reactions rather than defending benefits; use neutral tasks for interaction.
Output
Understanding findings
What does the person understand without extra help?
Quality check
What does the person understand without extra help?
Pitfall
The moderator immediately explains away every confusion. Record confusion and required help as findings.
Timing: 10 minutes
- 3
Fit
Fit review
Goal
Fit and objections
Inputs for this step
- Problem anchor and concept findings
Actions
- Compare the approach with the actual incident and existing alternative.
- Explore prerequisites, disadvantages, switching effort and purchase decisions; price reactions remain statements until a real offer is tested.
Output
Fit and objections
Are benefits and barriers tied to a case?
Quality check
Are benefits and barriers tied to a case?
Pitfall
A requested feature is immediately promised. Understand the reason behind the request and record it openly.
Timing: 10–15 minutes
- 4
Follow-up
Follow-up
Goal
Test decision
Inputs for this step
- Findings and real follow-up option
Actions
- Distinguish statements, observed actions and actual commitments.
- Offer a voluntary next step that is genuinely available; verify completion later and record the learning decision.
Output
Test decision
Is commitment separate from fulfilment?
Quality check
Is commitment separate from fulfilment?
Pitfall
Pilot interest is counted as a purchase. Label the signal accurately and plan the next behavioural evidence.
Timing: 10–15 minutes
05
Artifact
What comes out at the end
Sketch: what the artifact looks like
Form
Concept findings on understanding, fit, objections and verifiable follow-up.
Versioning / ownership
Record date and scope; retain the previous version and reason when changing it.
Tool alternatives
- Paper concept
- Clickable prototype
- Observation sheet with version
solution-interview-working-template.md
Prepare an evidenced problem and a concrete concept that can be presented neutrally.
Solution Interview: Worksheet
Question
To be confirmed
Desired outcome
To be confirmed
Scope
Complete cycle Time: 30–45 minutes conversation plus 15 minutes synthesis.
Complete this worksheet on paper or in your own document during the work.
Preparation for this scope
Method setup
- Materials: Concept, neutral tasks, observation sheet.
- Roles: Target participant, neutral moderator, note-taker.
- Advance information: Prepare an evidenced problem and a concrete concept that can be presented neutrally.
- Overall time needed: 30–45 minutes conversation plus 15 minutes synthesis.
- Setup: Fix concept version and tasks in advance; discuss the problem incident first, then show the same representation. Record observation separately from interpretation.
Prepare for the work steps
Baseline: Baseline
- Existing problem evidence
Understanding: Understanding
- Concept and task
Fit: Fit review
- Problem anchor and concept findings
Follow-up: Follow-up
- Findings and real follow-up option
Solution Interview· worksheet
Problem and current alternative
Which real case provides the comparison baseline?
...
Concept and understanding
Which version was shown and how? What was understood or done unaided?
...
Fit and objections
Which concrete improvement, prerequisite and switching barrier was identified?
...
Follow-up signal and decision
Distinguish statement, observed action, fulfilled commitment and remaining uncertainty.
...
Answer the prompts with your own information. Explicitly mark unknowns and assumptions.
Ash Maurya: Running Lean im Gespräch
Baseline: Baseline
Expected artifact: Problem anchor
Was the baseline recorded before the demo?
Entry:
...
- Was the baseline recorded before the demo?
Understanding: Understanding
Expected artifact: Understanding findings
What does the person understand without extra help?
Entry:
...
- What does the person understand without extra help?
Fit: Fit review
Expected artifact: Fit and objections
Are benefits and barriers tied to a case?
Entry:
...
- Are benefits and barriers tied to a case?
Follow-up: Follow-up
Expected artifact: Test decision
Is commitment separate from fulfilment?
Entry:
...
- Is commitment separate from fulfilment?
Open questions and next steps
...
Method guide: https://methodatlas.meierhoff-systems.de/en/methods/solution-interview/run-sheet
06
Example output
Concrete filled scenario, fictional example
Fictional example for orientation. Counts and timings describe this case and are not universal requirements.
solution-interview-beispiel.md
Concrete filled scenario, fictional example
Fictional example
Problem and current alternative: Fictional: P04 missed a last-minute room change and currently uses email. Only after this account does the team show a clickable change alert.
Concept and understanding: Version 2 shows room, start time and acknowledgement. P04 locates the room but interprets acknowledgement as a binding course commitment. Moderator help is logged separately.
Fit and objections: Objection: push notifications are silenced during travel. Value therefore depends on timing and an acceptable alternative. Another app alone does not resolve the case.
Follow-up signal and decision: P04 voluntarily books an available trial session. This is an appointment, not a purchase. The team simplifies the label and tests timely notice during the pilot.
07
Pitfalls
Recognize symptoms and steer against them
Quick overview, the full text is in the matching phase in the flow
- BaselineThe demonstration presumes the supposed problem.View in phase
- UnderstandingThe moderator immediately explains away every confusion.View in phase
- Fit reviewA requested feature is immediately promised.View in phase
- Follow-upPilot interest is counted as a purchase.View in phase
Trap
Baseline
Symptom
The demonstration presumes the supposed problem.
What to do
Ask about the actual incident first.
Trap
Understanding
Symptom
The moderator immediately explains away every confusion.
What to do
Record confusion and required help as findings.
Trap
Fit review
Symptom
A requested feature is immediately promised.
What to do
Understand the reason behind the request and record it openly.
Trap
Follow-up
Symptom
Pilot interest is counted as a purchase.
What to do
Label the signal accurately and plan the next behavioural evidence.
08
Stop criteria
When to pause, resolve prerequisites, or choose another approach
If praise replaces behaviour, examine a concrete barrier and agree an honest next test.
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