Skip to main content

Diagnostic Toolkit

By Jason Hreha

Use this lightweight toolkit to triage issues before you invest in builds.

Master diagnostic 

Problem unclear → Run Problem Validation Interviews → Evidence of active solution seeking?
  └─ No → Strengthen Problem Fit first
  └─ Yes → Behavior unclear → Run Behavioral Observation → Will users perform behavior in context?
       └─ No → Choose a different behavior or change context
       └─ Yes → Prototype solution → Time to first behavior acceptable?
            └─ No → Reduce friction and steps
            └─ Yes → Verify Product Fit and unit economics

Next: Use the Four-Fit Evidence Readiness Checker to see which evidence records and pre-registered thresholds are missing. It does not judge initiative viability. Then use the BOS Calculator.

← Back to Tools & Templates

Advanced Diagnostics

Problem Diagnosis Tool (programmatic) 

class ProblemDiagnosticTool:
    """
    Check behavioral assumptions before a build.
    """
    
    def __init__(self):
        self.diagnostic_questions = {
            'problem_validation': [
                "Can users clearly articulate the problem?",
                "Are users actively seeking solutions?",
                "Have users tried multiple workarounds?",
                "Would users pay (time/money) for solution?",
                "Is problem frequent and painful?"
            ],
            'behavior_validation': [
                "Have you observed target behaviors in natural context?",
                "Does observed completion clear a pre-registered threshold?",
                "Do behaviors align with user motivations?",
                "Is behavioral frequency sustainable?",
                "Are behaviors measurable?"
            ],
            'solution_validation': [
                "Does every feature map to validated behavior?",
                "Is time to first behavior within a pre-registered target?",
                "Is the behavioral path obvious?",
                "Are behavioral triggers built-in?",
                "Do users feel successful after behavior?"
            ]
        }

See also