How to Apply Problem Finding to Startups
In Search of Innovative Problems
We recently came across a kindred spirit thinking and writing about Problem Finding. We were excited to find someone else giving critical thought to the subject so we want to highlight their spin on the subject in this installment of In Search of Innovative Problems.
Manu Kumar, a principal in K9 Ventures, a technology-focused micro VC fund based in Palo Alto, recently wrote a blog post entitled Finding A Problem Worth Solving. He applied something he learned in grad school, while looking for his PhD project. His advisor taught him that getting a PhD was as much about ‘finding a problem’ as ‘solving the problem’. Specifically, the focus needed to be on finding a problem worth solving.
Kumar brought this problem finding mentality to his startup and VC careers. He recognized that finding the problem is not simple and can often be an involved process. Kumar developed three variables to use in finding and analyzing problems — Frequency; Density; and Pain. He described the variables in more detail:
Frequency: Does the problem you’re solving [seeking] occur often?
Density: Do a lot of people face the problem?
Pain: Is the problem just an annoyance, or something you absolutely must resolve?
In Kumar’s variables, we see multiple connections to our 10 Signposts of Innovation. Most of our Signposts touch on one or more of these variables. When you see things that are repeated often (Signpost #2); things that have substantial consequences (Signpost #3); things that are perishable (Signpost #7); things that involve a high degree of complexity (Signpost #8); or things that are failing (Signpost #10), you are experiencing elements of Kumar’s Frequency/Density/Pain variables.
We encourage you to consider both approaches to problem finding and to spend some time synthesizing the two approaches some more. Share your thinking with us. BECOME PROBLEM SEEKERS.
So kudos to Manu Kumar, certified Problem Seeker. We applaud your efforts to see the importance of finding innovative problems and developing a framework and methodology to do so. Please join us at our Innovation Nation publication on Medium, where you can learn more about Innovative Problems and our process for making everyone problem seekers.
© Brian Leitten & Bradley Strock 2015
