Develop Solution Brief

<!-- PM-Skills | https://github.com/product-on-purpose/pm-skills | Apache 2.0 -->

Solution Brief

A solution brief is a concise, one-page document that communicates the proposed solution to a problem. It serves as the bridge between problem understanding and detailed specification, providing enough context for stakeholders to align on the approach without getting lost in implementation details. The one-page constraint forces clarity and prioritization.

When to Use

• Pitching a solution approach to stakeholders for buy-in
• Aligning cross-functional teams on what you're building and why
• Documenting solution intent before detailed PRD writing
• Comparing multiple solution options at a high level
• Communicating product direction to leadership

When NOT to Use

• Stakeholders are aligned and engineering needs the full specification -> use deliver-prd; the brief pitches, the PRD specifies
• The problem is not yet framed or agreed -> use define-problem-statement first
• You are recording a decision already made -> use develop-adr (technical) or develop-design-rationale (design)
• You need to compare strategic options across the whole business model -> use foundation-lean-canvas

Instructions

When asked to create a solution brief, follow these steps:

• Recap the Problem

Summarize the problem in 2-3 sentences maximum. Don't re-explain the full problem statement - reference it if needed. The reader should immediately understand what pain point this solution addresses.

• Describe the Proposed Solution

Explain what you're building in clear, non-technical language. Focus on the user experience and core value proposition. Avoid implementation details - this is about *what*, not *how*.

• List Key Features

Identify 3-5 essential features that comprise the solution. These should be the minimum set needed to solve the problem. Resist the urge to include nice-to-haves - the one-page constraint demands focus.

• Define Success Metrics

Connect the solution to measurable outcomes. How will you know if this works? Reference metrics from the problem statement and set targets.

• Acknowledge Trade-offs

Document what you're explicitly NOT doing and why. Good solution briefs are honest about scope limitations and alternatives that were considered but rejected.

• Identify Risks and Mitigations

Surface the biggest risks to success and your plan to address them. This builds stakeholder confidence and surfaces concerns early.

• Outline Next Steps

Provide 3-5 immediate actions to move the solution forward. Be specific about who does what.

Output Format

Use the template in references/TEMPLATE.md to structure the output. A complete brief fills every template section: Problem Recap; Proposed Solution; Key Features; Success Metrics; Trade-offs Considered; Risks & Mitigations; and Next Steps.

Quality Checklist

Before finalizing, verify:

• [ ] Brief fits on one page when printed (approximately 500-700 words)
• [ ] Problem recap is concise (2-3 sentences maximum)
• [ ] Solution description avoids technical jargon
• [ ] Features are limited to 3-5 essential capabilities
• [ ] Trade-offs are explicitly stated
• [ ] Next steps are specific and actionable

Examples

See references/EXAMPLE.md for a completed example.