Unit 2: Research & Problem Validation
Introduction: From Problem to Purpose
You’ve researched the market and talked to real users. Now it’s time to take all that information and refine your initial concept into a clear, concise statement. This is where you define your **core idea** and your **Unique Value Proposition (UVP)**. Without a clear statement, it’s difficult to explain what you’re doing, who it’s for, and why it’s better than anything else out there.
Part 1: Defining Your Core Idea
Your core idea is a simple statement that explains what your project is and who it’s for. Think of it as your project’s mission statement. A great way to write this is using the following format:
“Our project helps [target customer] to [solve a problem] by [your solution].”
Target Customer: Be specific. Is it busy parents? Students studying for finals? Small business owners?
Solve a Problem: What is the main frustration you are addressing? Use the research you did in the last two lessons to find this.
Your Solution: What is the core way you will help? For now, this can be high-level—like “by providing a single platform for their homework.”
Part 2: The Unique Value Proposition (UVP)
Your UVP is what makes your project special. It’s the one thing that sets you apart from your competition. It answers the question: “Why should a customer choose you over the other options?”
A great UVP is:
Unique: It’s something your competitors can’t easily copy.
Valuable: It solves a real problem for the user.
Simple: It’s easy for people to understand and remember.
Activity: UVP Builder
Write your own core idea and UVP below based on your research.
Looking Ahead
With a clear UVP and core idea, you are ready to make a final decision. In **Lesson 4: Selecting a Final Problem to Solve**, you’ll use all your research to confidently choose the single problem your team will focus on.
