Think Before You Build: Must-Ask Discovery Questions 🛠️

Ever tried putting together IKEA furniture without the manual? You’re halfway through, feeling like a genius until you realize the shelf is upside down, and you’ve got a bag of “spare” screws. That’s what building a product without discovery questions could be like.

Discovery questions are your instruction manual for product development. They make sure you’re not just slapping pieces together, hoping it works. Instead, they help you figure out who’s actually going to use this “furniture,” whether it fits in the room (the market), and if you’ve got all the tools you need to assemble it (resources). Skip these questions, and you might end up with something wobbly or completely useless. Ask the right ones, and you’ll build something solid that people actually want.

Let’s unpack the prime types of discovery questions so you can nail this project (no spare parts left over):

🟡 User-centric questions

The key to building a product people actually want is really understanding your audience. Stop guessing and start asking the right questions, like "What’s bothering our users right now?" or "If you could design the perfect solution, what would it look like?" This way, you’ll know your product is solving real problems, not just what you think people need.

🟡 Market and competitor questions

You don’t want to reinvent the wheel, right? So, it’s important to understand who else is in the game and what they’re doing well (or not so well). Questions like, "Who else is offering something like this?" or "What opportunities are they missing?" can help you see where your product fits into the bigger picture. Plus, this will give you a better idea of how to stand out and where you can add value that others aren’t.

🟡 Value proposition and uniqueness

These questions help you figure out what makes your product special. What sets you apart from the crowd? For example, you might ask, "What’s the core benefit we’re offering?" or "How are we solving a problem that no one else is tackling?" These answers help you make sure you’ve got a solid reason for people to pick your product over the competition.

🟡 Sales, pricing, and marketing questions

It’s time to think about the business side of things. Questions like, "What price point will attract the right people?" or "What’s the best way to market this?" are crucial for getting your product in front of the right audience. Asking such answers will help you figure out how to sell your product in a way that makes sense for your market and your budget.

🟡 Company resources and technical feasibility

At the end of the day, you want to make sure your idea is doable. Questions like, "How long will it actually take to build this?" or "Do we have the tech and resources to pull this off?" help you keep your expectations grounded. They ensure you're being realistic about what’s possible with your team and timeline, so you don't end up overcommitting.

So, before you dive headfirst into building your product, take a step back and ask yourself the tough questions. Remember, a good rule of thumb is the clearer you are on who you’re building for, why it matters, and how it fits into the market, the stronger your product will be.

💬Do you think the discovery phase is essential for a smooth build? Share your thoughts below!

Not sure which questions to ask during your discovery sessions? Dive into this resource for a comprehensive guide on the best questions to ask at each stage of your discovery phase ⤵

https://www.upsilonit.com/blog/product-discovery-questions-founders-should-answer