Ideate Solutions
Generate multiple product solution concepts grounded in outcomes and opportunities before validating assumptions.
Position in Workflow
Step 3 of product strategy workflow:
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/discover-outcomes
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Define outcomes
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/discover-opportunities
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Identify opportunities
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/ideate-solutions
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Explore solution concepts (THIS)
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/discover-assumptions
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Validate with experiments
Core Principle
Diverge before you converge. Create several distinct solutions, then evaluate them against outcomes and constraints.
Input
Default: Use outcomes and opportunities from the current conversation.
If argument provided:
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File path: Read the file for context
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Notion/Doc URL: Summarize relevant outcomes and opportunities
Workflow
- Gather Context
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Restate the target outcomes and top opportunities.
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List constraints (time, budget, compliance, positioning).
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Clarify what is in scope vs out of scope.
- Ask Clarifying Questions
Ask what improves ideation quality:
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Which outcomes matter most right now?
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What constraints are non-negotiable?
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What segments or use cases are priority?
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What current alternatives must be beaten?
- Ideate Multiple Solutions
Generate 3-5 distinct solution concepts. Vary across:
Dimension Examples
Approach Self-serve tool, concierge, marketplace, automation
Value prop Speed, cost reduction, risk reduction, delight
Delivery model Feature, workflow, service, integration
Adoption path Low-friction trial, assisted onboarding, pilots
Avoid anchoring on the first idea. Make the options meaningfully different.
- Evaluate Trade-offs
For each solution, assess:
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Pros: How it advances outcomes
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Cons: Risks or limitations
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Evidence fit: What assumptions it relies on
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Feasibility: Rough effort and dependencies
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Differentiation: Why it wins vs alternatives
- Pick a Leading Concept
Rank the options and select a leading concept to validate next.
Output Format
Solution Ideation
Context Summary
[Target outcomes + top opportunities]
Clarifying Questions
[Questions about priorities or constraints - if any]
Concepts
Concept 1: [Name] - Leading
[Description]
Pros:
- ...
Cons:
- ...
Evidence fit: [Key assumptions this relies on] Feasibility: [Low/Medium/High] Differentiation: [Why this wins vs alternatives]
Concept 2: [Name]
[Same structure]
Concept 3: [Name]
[Same structure]
Recommendation
[Why the leading concept wins, and when you'd choose differently]
Open Questions
[Assumptions or unknowns to validate]
Next Step
Validate assumptions. Run /discover-assumptions.
Common Mistakes
Mistake Fix
Jumping to one idea Generate 3-5 concepts first
Concepts too similar Force meaningful variation
Ignoring constraints State non-negotiables early
No link to outcomes Tie each concept to outcomes
What NOT to Do
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Do NOT define experiments yet
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Do NOT commit to a solution without assumptions
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Do NOT skip trade-off analysis