What is an Opportunity Solution Tree?
The Opportunity Solution Tree (OST) is a visual framework that helps product teams chart the best path to their desired outcome. Created by Teresa Torres, it's become the go-to tool for teams practicing continuous discovery.
The Four Layers of an OST
Understanding the Four Layers
Each layer of the tree serves a specific purpose in connecting business value to customer value.
The desired business impact at the top of the tree. This is what your team is trying to achieve - typically a product outcome that measures customer behavior or sentiment.
Examples:
- •Increase user engagement by 20%
- •Reduce churn rate to under 5%
- •Improve NPS by 15 points
Customer needs, pain points, and desires that, if addressed, will drive your outcome. Opportunities come from customer research and interviews, not assumptions.
Examples:
- •Users struggle to find relevant content
- •Users forget to return to the app
- •Users can't complete tasks on mobile
Ideas to address the opportunities. For each opportunity, you should explore multiple solutions before deciding which to pursue.
Examples:
- •Personalized recommendations
- •Smart notifications
- •Simplified mobile navigation
Testable hypotheses that must be true for your solution to work. Test the riskiest assumptions first to learn quickly and avoid wasted effort.
Examples:
- •Users will click on recommendations
- •Users won't find notifications annoying
- •Users can complete checkout in 3 taps
Benefits of Using an OST
Opportunity Solution Trees help product trios work more effectively together.
Resolve Business vs. Customer Tension
OSTs start with business outcomes but ensure you reach them through customer-centric opportunities.
Build Shared Understanding
The visual nature of OSTs helps product trios align on priorities and see the full picture.
Adopt a Continuous Mindset
OSTs evolve as you learn, encouraging iteration rather than big-bang planning.
Unlock Better Decisions
By comparing and contrasting opportunities and solutions, teams make more informed choices.
Faster Learning Cycles
Focus on assumptions helps teams learn quickly what works and what doesn't.
Simpler Stakeholder Communication
Share your OST at the right level of detail to keep stakeholders informed without overwhelming them.
How to Create an OST
Follow these steps to create your first Opportunity Solution Tree.
- 1
Meet the Prerequisites
Have a defined outcome and conduct 3-4 customer interviews before starting.
- 2
Put Your Outcome at the Top
Start with a clear, measurable product outcome that drives business value.
- 3
Map the Opportunity Space
Structure opportunities from your customer research into a hierarchy.
- 4
Choose a Target Opportunity
Select one small opportunity to focus on. Don't try to solve everything at once.
- 5
Brainstorm Solutions
Generate multiple solution ideas for your target opportunity.
- 6
Identify Assumptions
Break solutions into assumptions that must be true for them to work.
- 7
Test and Learn
Test riskiest assumptions first, then iterate based on what you learn.
Who Should Use an OST?
Opportunity Solution Trees are designed for product trios - a product manager, designer, and engineer working together. The visual nature helps the whole team align on what to build and why.
OSTs are especially valuable for teams practicing continuous discovery - regularly interviewing customers, testing assumptions, and iterating on their product strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Opportunity Solution Trees
Ready to build your first OST?
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