Before You Build Your App: Make Sure You're Solving the Right Problem

Every day new apps, SaaS tools and AI products are being built.

Technology has made building products easier than ever.

But one challenge remains the same:

Many products are built without solving a real problem.

Founders and builders often start with a solution, a feature, or a technology — and only later discover that the problem isn’t as real or important as they thought.

This workshop will help you step back and answer one critical question:

Are you actually solving the right problem?

In this interactive session, you’ll learn a simple framework to evaluate your product idea and ensure it is grounded in a real user need.

This workshop is part of the Product Building Series. Together, the three workshops provide a complete path from idea → product scope → product structure, helping you move from concept to a clear and scalable product.

In this workshop we will explore:

• Why many product ideas fail before reaching the market
• The difference between a solution idea and a real problem
• How to identify the right user and the right situation
• A simple framework to validate whether your idea solves something meaningful.

You’ll see real examples of how small changes in problem definition can completely change a product.

Participants will complete a Problem Definition Canvas for their own product idea.

By the end of the workshop you will have:

✔ A clearer definition of the problem your product solves
✔ A better understanding of who your users actually are
✔ A structured Problem Definition Canvas you can use to refine your idea
✔ A practical framework you can apply to future product ideas.

This workshop is ideal for:

• founders and startup builders
• people working on a new app or SaaS idea
• indie hackers and makers
• early product teams exploring a new product or feature.

No technical background is required.

1. Welcome & Introduction
Why validating the problem is the most important step before building.

2. Why Many Product Ideas Fail
Common mistakes when starting a digital product.

3. The Problem Validation Framework
A simple structure to identify real user problems.

4. Real Product Example
How defining the problem changes the product.

5. Practical Exercise
Use the Problem Definition Canvas to analyse your own idea.

6. Discussion & Insights
Common discoveries and lessons from the exercise.

7. Wrap-Up & Next Steps

Bring a product idea, feature idea, or startup concept you are exploring.
You will apply the framework directly to your own idea during the workshop.

We kindly ask participants to arrive about 10 minutes earlier, as the workshop will start promptly at 18:30.

• Interactive workshop
• Small group discussion
• Practical exercise

After the workshop, participants are invited to continue the conversation during an informal networking session at Sisi Bar on the top floor, where we can share experiences, discuss product ideas, and enjoy the beautiful views over Barcelona together.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Tribe Social Club - Cowork, Bar, Events, 22 Praça Luís de Camões, Lisboa, Portugal

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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