| name | pre-prd-research |
| description | Pre-PRD Research methodology combining Business Analysis, Creative Problem-Solving, Brainstorming, and Innovation Strategy. Use before writing any PRD for problem validation, market research, competitive analysis, stakeholder interviews, ideation, root cause analysis. |
Pre-PRD Research Skill
Core Belief
Every great product starts with deep understanding. Fall in love with the problem, not the solution.
The Four Pillars
| Pillar | Focus | Key Question |
|---|
| Business Analysis | Evidence & Requirements | What do we know for certain? |
| Creative Problem-Solving | Root Causes & Systems | What's really going on? |
| Brainstorming | Possibilities & Ideas | What could we do? |
| Innovation Strategy | Value & Positioning | Why would anyone care? |
Research Activities Flow
ACTIVITY A: UNDERSTAND -> ACTIVITY B: EXPLORE -> ACTIVITY C: DEFINE
Problem Analysis Ideation & Exploration Strategic Synthesis
Stakeholder Map Root Cause Hunt Validation
Market Research
Traceability
ID Format
[Project]-[Activity]-[Type]-[Number]
Examples:
PROJ-A-INT-001 = Interview finding #1
PROJ-B-IDEA-003 = Idea #3
PROJ-C-OPP-002 = Opportunity #2
Traceability Matrix
| Research ID | Finding | Source | PRD Requirement | User Story |
|---|
| PROJ-A-INT-001 | Users frustrated by X | Interview | REQ-001 | US-001 |
Entry & Exit Criteria
Entry
- Initial idea/request/problem exists
- Stakeholders available
- Time allocated (minimum 2-3 sessions)
Exit (Gate to PRD)
ACTIVITY A: UNDERSTAND
5 Whys Analysis
Stated Problem: [Initial statement]
Why 1: -> [Answer]
Why 2: -> [Answer]
Why 3: -> [Answer]
Why 4: -> [Answer]
Why 5: -> [Root Cause]
Validation Method: [How to verify]
Problem Severity
| Dimension | Rating (1-10) |
|---|
| Frequency | |
| Impact | |
| Reach | |
| Urgency | |
| Strategic | |
Score = (Frequency x Impact x Reach) + (Urgency x 2) + (Strategic x 3)
Stakeholder Interview Structure
- Opening (5 min): Purpose, permission
- Context (15 min): Workflow, frustrations, magic wand
- Problem Exploration (20 min): Recent occurrence, actions, feelings, workarounds
- Impact (10 min): Time/money cost, others affected
- Solution Space (10 min): What tried, ideal solution
- Closing (5 min): Missing questions, who else to talk to
Stakeholder Power/Interest Matrix
INTEREST
Low High
High | Satisfy | Manage Closely |
POWER Low | Monitor | Keep Informed |
Competitive Analysis
| Competitor | Target | Features | Pricing | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|
Key Questions
- Gap in market?
- Overserved needs?
- Underserved needs?
- Emerging trends?
Jobs-to-be-Done
When [situation] I want to [progress] So I can [outcome]
Related: Emotional job, Social job
ACTIVITY B: EXPLORE
Brainstorming Techniques
- Classic: How Might We... (10 min)
- SCAMPER: Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to use, Eliminate, Reverse
- Crazy 8s: 8 ideas in 8 minutes
- Worst Possible Idea: Generate terrible solutions, then reverse
- Six Thinking Hats: White(facts), Red(emotion), Black(risks), Yellow(benefits), Green(creative), Blue(process)
Idea Capture
Idea: [Title]
ID: [PROJECT]-B-IDEA-[XXX]
One-Liner: [Explain in one sentence]
User Value: [Why would someone want this?]
Wild Rating: 1-5
Root Cause Investigation
Systems Map
- System boundaries
- Feedback loops (reinforcing/balancing)
- Leverage points (small changes, big effects)
- Unintended consequences
Theory of Constraints
- IDENTIFY the constraint
- EXPLOIT it (maximize output as-is)
- SUBORDINATE everything else
- ELEVATE the constraint (increase capacity)
- REPEAT (find new constraint)
Insight Clustering
Cluster: [Theme Name]
Insights: [List]
Pattern: [Common thread]
Opportunity: [What to do]
ACTIVITY C: DEFINE
Blue Ocean Strategy
Four Actions Framework
| Factor | ELIMINATE | REDUCE | RAISE | CREATE |
|---|
| [Factor] | | | | |
Value Proposition Canvas
Customer Profile
- Jobs: Functional, Emotional, Social
- Pains: [Pain]: Severity (1-10)
- Gains: [Gain]: Importance (1-10)
Value Map
- Products & Services
- Pain Relievers
- Gain Creators
Opportunity Scoring
| Criterion | Weight | Option A | Option B |
|---|
| User Value | 30% | | |
| Feasibility | 25% | | |
| Strategic Fit | 20% | | |
| Time to Value | 15% | | |
| Risk Level | 10% | | |
Assumption Mapping
| Assumption | Impact | Certainty | Validation Method |
|---|
| [Critical] | High | Low | [How to test] |
Quick Reference
| Mode | Trigger | Tools | Output |
|---|
| Business Analyst | Need evidence | Interviews, 5 Whys, JTBD | Problem statement, stakeholder map |
| Brainstorming | Need ideas | SCAMPER, Crazy 8s, Six Hats | Idea backlog, opportunities |
| Problem-Solver | Need root causes | Systems Map, TOC, TRIZ | Root cause analysis |
| Innovation Strategist | Need positioning | Blue Ocean, Value Prop | Strategic positioning |
Common Pitfalls
| Pitfall | Fix |
|---|
| Solution Bias | Write assumptions, try to disprove |
| Confirmation Seeking | Assign devil's advocate |
| Sampling Bias | Cover stakeholder matrix |
| Analysis Paralysis | Time-box, define "good enough" |
| Idea Attachment | Generate 10+ alternatives first |
Minimum Viable Research (1 week)
- Day 1-2: 3-5 stakeholder interviews
- Day 3: Competitive scan (2 hours)
- Day 4: 90-minute brainstorm
- Day 5: Synthesis and recommendation
Output Location
docs/research/YYYY-MM-DD-[project]/
research-report.md
traceability-matrix.md
interviews/
analysis/
ideation/
opportunities/
