Problem-Solution Navigator: A Mom Test-Based Notion Template for Startups

As a pre-seed VC working with early-stage startups, I see a lot of promising cases failing in validating problem/solution fit through customer interviews. To help you navigate this process, I've put together a comprehensive Notion template that follows "The Mom Test" guidelines.

This guide will provide you with a structured approach to conducting unbiased, problem-focused interviews, which will help you gather valuable insights from your target audience, waiting list, or customers. By using this template, you'll be able to refine and iterate on your problem/solution fit, ultimately creating a product that addresses real customer needs.

I hope you find this guide helpful as you embark on your journey to build a successful startup. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out.

What is The Mom Test?

The Mom Test is a set of guidelines for conducting effective customer interviews, developed by Rob Fitzpatrick. The primary goal of The Mom Test is to help entrepreneurs ask the right questions during customer interviews, allowing them to gather unbiased, valuable, and actionable insights.

The main principles of The Mom Test are:

1. Talk about their life, not your idea: Focus on understanding the interviewee's experiences, pain points, and the context around the problem you're trying to solve, rather than discussing your product or solution.
2. Ask specific questions about the past, not hypothetical questions about the future: People are better at recalling their past behavior and experiences than predicting what they might do in the future. Asking about the past helps you gather more accurate and reliable information.
3. Listen more, talk less: Allow the interviewee to share their thoughts, experiences, and opinions without interrupting or trying to sell your idea. The more you listen, the more valuable insights you can gather.

By following The Mom Test, entrepreneurs can reduce biases, gather honest feedback, and better understand the problem they're trying to solve. This ultimately leads to more successful problem-solution fit iterations and a higher likelihood of building a product that addresses real customer needs.

How to duplicate a Notion Template for your personal use

• Step 1: Open the Notion template. Click on the link to the Notion template you want to duplicate.
• Step 2: Sign in or create a Notion account. If you're not already logged in to Notion, sign in to your account or create a new one for free.
• Step 3: Duplicate the template. Once you're logged in and have the template open, click on the "Duplicate" button located at the top-right corner of the template page.
• Step 4: Save the duplicate to your desired location. After clicking "Duplicate," a window will appear, allowing you to choose where to save the duplicated template within your Notion workspace. Select a location, or create a new page or subpage for the template.
• Step 5: Edit and customize the duplicated template. Once the template has been duplicated and saved to your desired location, you can begin editing and customizing it according to your needs. Any changes made to the duplicated template will not affect the original template.

Now you have successfully duplicated a Notion template for your personal use! Enjoy customizing the template to suit your specific requirements and streamline your workflow.