From nw
Guides 4-phase product discovery workflow with decision gates, success metrics, and validation techniques for assessing problem worth, opportunities, solutions, and market viability.
How this skill is triggered — by the user, by Claude, or both
Slash command
/nw:nw-discovery-workflowThe summary Claude sees in its skill listing — used to decide when to auto-load this skill
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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?"
Duration: 1-2 weeks | Min interviews: 5 | Techniques: Mom Test, Job Mapping Core question: Is this a real problem worth solving?
Duration: 1-2 weeks | Min interviews: 10 cumulative | Techniques: OST, Opportunity Algorithm Core question: Which problems matter most?
Duration: 2-4 weeks | Min interviews: 5 per iteration | Techniques: hypothesis testing, prototypes Core question: Does our solution actually work?
Duration: 2-4 weeks | Min interviews: 5 + stakeholders | Techniques: Lean Canvas, 4 Big Risks Core question: Can we build a viable business?
Proceed: 5+ confirm pain + willingness to pay | Pivot: problem differs from expected | Kill: <20% confirm
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.
Proceed: >80% task completion, usability validated | Pivot: needs refinement | Kill: fundamental blocks
Proceed: all 4 risks addressed, model validated | Pivot: model needs adjustment | Kill: no viable model
| 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.
| 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.
| 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.
| 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.
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"
| 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 |
npx claudepluginhub nwave-ai/nwave --plugin nwGuides product managers through a full discovery cycle from problem hypothesis to validated solution using framing, interviews, synthesis, and experiments. Suitable for teams exploring problem spaces or investigating retention/drop-off issues.
Guides product discovery: maps opportunity space, surfaces risky assumptions, and designs cheap tests. Run before committing to build decisions.
Provides criteria for evidence quality validation, sample sizes, decision gates, and bias detection in product discovery reviews.