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

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

Entry & Exit Criteria

Entry

• Initial idea/request/problem exists
• Stakeholders available
• Time allocated (minimum 2-3 sessions)

Exit (Gate to PRD)

• Problem validated with multiple stakeholders
• Root causes identified and verified
• Market/competitive landscape understood
• Solution space explored
• Strategic positioning defined
• Assumptions explicit and tested
• Go/No-Go decision justified

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

Score = (Frequency x Impact x Reach) + (Urgency x 2) + (Strategic x 3)

Stakeholder Interview Structure

1. Opening (5 min): Purpose, permission
2. Context (15 min): Workflow, frustrations, magic wand
3. Problem Exploration (20 min): Recent occurrence, actions, feelings, workarounds
4. Impact (10 min): Time/money cost, others affected
5. Solution Space (10 min): What tried, ideal solution
6. 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

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

1. Classic: How Might We... (10 min)
2. SCAMPER: Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to use, Eliminate, Reverse
3. Crazy 8s: 8 ideas in 8 minutes
4. Worst Possible Idea: Generate terrible solutions, then reverse
5. 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

1. IDENTIFY the constraint
2. EXPLOIT it (maximize output as-is)
3. SUBORDINATE everything else
4. ELEVATE the constraint (increase capacity)
5. 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

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

Assumption Mapping

Quick Reference

Common Pitfalls

Minimum Viable Research (1 week)

1. Day 1-2: 3-5 stakeholder interviews
2. Day 3: Competitive scan (2 hours)
3. Day 4: 90-minute brainstorm
4. Day 5: Synthesis and recommendation

Output Location

docs/research/YYYY-MM-DD-[project]/
  research-report.md
  traceability-matrix.md
  interviews/
  analysis/
  ideation/
  opportunities/