Before QuickBite ever delivered its first meal, it had to figure out one thing: what exactly was broken in the world of lunchtime? That’s the heart of the Problem block on a Lean Canvas.
This section is about getting painfully specific.
What is the Problem Block?
The Problem block is where you articulate the top 1–3 problems your target customer faces. Not vague irritations or imaginary gaps—but burning, undeniable frustrations that make people nod and say, “Yes, this is me.”
Ash Maurya stresses starting with problems because great startups don’t begin with a product—they begin with insight.
QuickBite’s Problem Discovery
QuickBite interviewed 40 office workers in Berlin and discovered these three common complaints:
- “I never know what to eat.”
- “Delivery is too slow during lunch hours.”
- “Healthy options are expensive or boring.”
Boom. There’s your trio of trouble. And not one mentions a lack of food—just a lack of convenient, exciting, healthy food at speed.
How to Identify Real Problems
- Talk to users before you sketch your product.
- Avoid assumptions. Your idea might be smart, but if it doesn’t solve a known pain, it’s a hobby.
- Validate frequently. Surveys, interviews, reviews, and complaints on social media are gold mines.
Examples of Clear Problem Statements
- “Parents find it hard to manage school pick-ups during working hours.”
- “Freelancers struggle with managing invoices across currencies.”
- “Travellers hate filling out visa forms repeatedly.”
Each one has a built-in emotional trigger. If your problem statement can’t make someone say, “Ugh, yes!”, it’s not sharp enough.
Templates to Use
- Problem Validation Interview Script: Download PDF
- Problem Block Notion Template: Use Now
Final Thought
QuickBite didn’t become QuickBite because they loved food. They became QuickBite because they hated lunchtime indecision. That’s the kind of problem that starts movements.
Now, are you solving a real problem—or just making noise?
Read previous: How to Fill a Lean Canvas →
Read next: Customer Segments →
Before QuickBite ever delivered its first meal, it had to figure out one thing: what exactly was broken in the world of lunchtime? That’s the heart of the Problem block on a Lean Canvas.
This section is about getting painfully specific.
What is the Problem Block?
The Problem block is where you articulate the top 1-3 problems your target customer faces. Not vague irritations or imaginary gaps—but burning, undeniable frustrations that make people nod and say, “Yes, this is me.”
Ash Maurya stresses starting with problems because great startups don’t begin with a product—they begin with insight.
QuickBite’s Problem Discovery
QuickBite interviewed 40 office workers in Berlin and discovered these three common complaints:
- “I never know what to eat.”
- “Delivery is too slow during lunch hours.”
- “Healthy options are expensive or boring.”
Boom. There’s your trio of trouble. And not one mentions a lack of food—just a lack of convenient, exciting, healthy food at speed.
How to Identify Real Problems
- Talk to users before you sketch your product.
- Avoid assumptions. Your idea might be smart, but if it doesn’t solve a known pain, it’s a hobby.
- Validate frequently. Surveys, interviews, reviews, and complaints on social media are gold mines.
Examples of Clear Problem Statements
- “Parents find it hard to manage school pick-ups during working hours.”
- “Freelancers struggle with managing invoices across currencies.”
- “Travellers hate filling out visa forms repeatedly.”
Each one has a built-in emotional trigger. If your problem statement can’t make someone say, “Ugh, yes!”, it’s not sharp enough.
Templates to Use
- Problem Validation Interview Script: Download PDF
- Problem Block Notion Template: Use Now
Final Thought
QuickBite didn’t become QuickBite because they loved food. They became QuickBite because they hated lunchtime indecision. That’s the kind of problem that starts movements.
Now, are you solving a real problem—or just making noise?