nw-discovery-workflow

Discovery Workflow

4-Phase Overview

PHASE 1              PHASE 2              PHASE 3              PHASE 4
Problem Validation   Opportunity Mapping  Solution Testing     Market Viability
      |                    |                    |                    |
      v                    v                    v                    v
"Is this real?"      "Which matters?"     "Does it work?"      "Viable business?"

Phase Details

Phase 1: Problem Validation

Duration: 1-2 weeks | Min interviews: 5 | Techniques: Mom Test, Job Mapping Core question: Is this a real problem worth solving?

Phase 2: Opportunity Mapping

Duration: 1-2 weeks | Min interviews: 10 cumulative | Techniques: OST, Opportunity Algorithm Core question: Which problems matter most?

Phase 3: Solution Testing

Duration: 2-4 weeks | Min interviews: 5 per iteration | Techniques: hypothesis testing, prototypes Core question: Does our solution actually work?

Phase 4: Market Viability

Duration: 2-4 weeks | Min interviews: 5 + stakeholders | Techniques: Lean Canvas, 4 Big Risks Core question: Can we build a viable business?

Decision Gates

G1: Problem to Opportunity

Proceed: 5+ confirm pain + willingness to pay | Pivot: problem differs from expected | Kill: <20% confirm

G2: Opportunity to Solution

Proceed: top 2-3 score >8 (max 20) | Pivot: new opportunities discovered | Kill: all low-value Scoring: Score = Importance + Max(0, Importance - Satisfaction). Each 1-10. >8 = high importance with satisfaction gap.

G3: Solution to Viability

Proceed: >80% task completion, usability validated | Pivot: needs refinement | Kill: fundamental blocks

G4: Viability to Build

Proceed: all 4 risks addressed, model validated | Pivot: model needs adjustment | Kill: no viable model

Success Metrics

Phase 1: Problem Validation

Metric	Target
Problem confirmation	>60% (3+ of 5)
Frequency	Weekly+
Current spending	>$0 on workarounds
Emotional intensity	Frustration evident

Done when: 5+ interviews, >60% confirmation, articulated in customer words, 3+ examples. Threshold: 60% aligns with Mom Test -- 3/5 consistent signals = proceed, <20% = kill. Combined with qualitative markers.

Phase 2: Opportunity Mapping

Metric	Target
Opportunities identified	5+ distinct
Top scores	>8 / max 20
Job step coverage	80%+
Strategic alignment	Stakeholder confirmed

Done when: OST complete, top 2-3 prioritized, team aligned.

Phase 3: Solution Testing

Metric	Target
Task completion	>80%
Value perception	>70% "would use/buy"
Comprehension	<10 sec to understand
Key assumptions validated	>80% proven

Done when: 5+ users per iteration, core flow usable, value + feasibility confirmed.

Phase 4: Market Viability

Metric	Target
Four big risks	All green/yellow
Channel validated	1+ viable
Unit economics	LTV > 3x CAC (estimated)
Stakeholder signoff	Legal, finance, ops

Done when: Lean Canvas complete, all risks acceptable, go/no-go documented.

State Tracking Schema

current_phase: "1|2|3|4"
phase_started: "ISO timestamp"
interviews_completed: "count by phase"
assumptions_tracked: "list with risk scores"
opportunities_identified: "list with scores"
decision_gates_evaluated: "G1|G2|G3|G4 status"
artifacts_created: "list of file paths"

Phase Transition Requirements

Transition	Gate	Requirements
1 to 2	G1	5+ interviews, >60% confirmation, customer words, 3+ examples
2 to 3	G2	OST complete, top 2-3 identified, scores >8, team alignment
3 to 4	G3	5+ users tested, >80% task completion, core flow usable, validated
4 to handoff	G4	Lean Canvas complete, 4 risks acceptable, go/no-go, stakeholder sign-off