Pre Prd Research

---
name: pre-prd-research
description: Pre-PRD Research methodology combining Business Analysis, Creative Problem-Solving, Brainstorming, and Innovation Strategy. Use before writing any PRD for problem validation, market research, competitive analysis, stakeholder interviews, ideation, root cause analysis.
---

Applies before any PRD exists: problem validation, market/competitive research, stakeholder interviews, ideation, root cause analysis. Does not apply once the PRD is being written.

Core belief: fall in love with the problem, not the solution.

## Four Pillars
| Pillar | Focus | Key Question |
|---|---|---|
| Business Analysis | Evidence & Requirements | What do we know for certain? |
| Creative Problem-Solving | Root Causes & Systems | What's really going on? |
| Brainstorming | Possibilities & Ideas | What could we do? |
| Innovation Strategy | Value & Positioning | Why would anyone care? |

## Flow
ACTIVITY A: UNDERSTAND (problem analysis, stakeholder map, market research) -> ACTIVITY B: EXPLORE (ideation, root cause hunt) -> ACTIVITY C: DEFINE (strategic synthesis, validation)

## Traceability
ID format: `[Project]-[Activity]-[Type]-[Number]`
- `PROJ-A-INT-001` = Interview finding #1
- `PROJ-B-IDEA-003` = Idea #3
- `PROJ-C-OPP-002` = Opportunity #2

Traceability matrix columns:
| Research ID | Finding | Source | PRD Requirement | User Story |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PROJ-A-INT-001 | Users frustrated by X | Interview | REQ-001 | US-001 |

Details: `references/traceability-guide.md`

## 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
Emit: Stated Problem: [Initial statement]; Why 1..Why 5 each `-> [Answer]` with Why 5 `-> [Root Cause]`; Validation Method: [How to verify].

### Problem Severity
Rate each dimension 1-10: Frequency, Impact, Reach, Urgency, Strategic.
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

Questions: `references/interview-guide.md`

### Stakeholder Power/Interest Matrix
| | Interest Low | Interest High |
|---|---|---|
| Power High | Satisfy | Manage Closely |
| Power Low | Monitor | Keep Informed |

### Competitive Analysis
Table columns: Competitor, Target, Features, Pricing, Strengths, Weaknesses.
Key questions: Gap in market? Overserved needs? Underserved needs? Emerging trends?
Method: `references/competitive-analysis.md`

### Jobs-to-be-Done
When [situation] I want to [progress] So I can [outcome]. Also capture 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)

Facilitation: `references/brainstorming-techniques.md`

### Idea Capture
Emit per idea: 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
Emit per cluster: Cluster: [Theme Name]; Insights: [List]; Pattern: [Common thread]; Opportunity: [What to do].

## ACTIVITY C: DEFINE

Frameworks in depth: `references/strategic-frameworks.md`

### Blue Ocean Strategy
Four Actions Framework — per factor, decide: ELIMINATE, REDUCE, RAISE, CREATE.

### 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
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| User Value | 30% |
| Feasibility | 25% |
| Strategic Fit | 20% |
| Time to Value | 15% |
| Risk Level | 10% |

Score each option (Option A, Option B, ...) per criterion.

### Assumption Mapping
Table columns: Assumption, Impact, Certainty, Validation Method. Example row: [Critical] | High | Low | [How to test].

## Quick Reference
| Mode | Trigger | Tools | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Analyst | Need evidence | Interviews, 5 Whys, JTBD | Problem statement, stakeholder map |
| Brainstorming | Need ideas | SCAMPER, Crazy 8s, Six Hats | Idea backlog, opportunities |
| Problem-Solver | Need root causes | Systems Map, TOC, TRIZ | Root cause analysis |
| Innovation Strategist | Need positioning | Blue Ocean, Value Prop | Strategic positioning |

## Common Pitfalls
| Pitfall | Fix |
|---|---|
| Solution Bias | Write assumptions, try to disprove |
| Confirmation Seeking | Assign devil's advocate |
| Sampling Bias | Cover stakeholder matrix |
| Analysis Paralysis | Time-box, define "good enough" |
| Idea Attachment | Generate 10+ alternatives first |

## 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/
```