A Problem Analyst is a Business Analyst who checks that the problem you want to solve is real, painful and shared by enough people. They survey and research your audience, map your ideal customer and find out how people solve the problem today.

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No tech background needed. This guide explains the role in plain English: what it is, when you need it, what to expect and how to choose the right Volunteer.

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In plain English

What does a Problem Analyst do for you?

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Think of a doctor before a prescription.

A good doctor asks questions and runs tests before prescribing anything. A Problem Analyst examines the problem first, so the solution you build actually treats it.

Tests the problem

Evidence that the pain is real and worth solving.

Finds your customer

Who has the problem most, described as an Ideal Customer Persona.

Maps today's options

How people cope now, the tools they use and who you compete with.

When you need one

Signs it is time to bring one in.

If two or more of these sound familiar, add this role to your validation team.

Bring one in when

✓You are sure about the solution but have not tested the problem
✓You cannot describe your ideal customer in one sentence
✓Friends like the idea but nobody has asked to pay
✓You are not sure who else is solving this problem
✓You are about to spend money on design or development

You can wait if

…You already have strong evidence from paying customers
…You are extending a proven product into a closely related area

What they own

Four areas a Problem Analyst takes off your plate.

Surveys and research

Online channels, social media and forums to reach your audience.

Ideal Customer Persona

Who has the problem, how badly and how often.

Current solutions

How people solve it today and the tools they use.

Early competitor list

The alternatives your customer already knows.

What to expect

Across a 60 Volunteer day term.

Volunteers give up to three hours a day, Monday to Friday, over three months or more. Daily and weekly updates keep you informed, and rapid feedback from you in the first two weeks makes the biggest difference.

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Weeks 1 and 2

Agrees the questions to answer with you and launches a first survey or set of interviews.

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By mid term

Responses analysed, an early persona and a clear picture of how people solve the problem today.

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By day 60

A problem analysis report, the Ideal Customer Persona and a list of competitors for deeper analysis.

Choosing the right Volunteer

What to ask, and what to look for.

You do not need to be an expert to recruit well. Use these questions at interview and listen for the signs below.

Questions to ask

?How would you test whether this problem is real?
?Where would you find people who have this problem?
?Show me a survey or research summary you wrote.
?How would you avoid leading questions?

Good signs

✓Asks about the problem, not your solution
✓Uses more than one research method
✓Reports findings honestly, even unwelcome ones

Red flags

✕Asks only friends and family
✕Writes surveys that push people towards a yes
✕Draws big conclusions from a handful of answers

Your part as a Tech Founder

Give them this, and they deliver from Day 1.

✓Your description of the problem and who you think has it
✓Any customer conversations or data you already have
✓Approval to post surveys on your behalf
✓Time to review the findings each week
✓A signed Volunteer Agreement before they start

Who they collaborate with

The roles around your Problem Analyst.

Competitor Analysis

Maps the field. Direct and indirect competitors, in one clear view.

Read the guide →

Customer Development

Finds real people. Early customers who feel the problem, not only survey numbers.

Read the guide →

Validation Team Leader

Runs the validation for you. A plan, a timeline and a team that sticks to it.

Read the guide →

FAQ

Questions Tech Founders ask.

Can I not just ask AI whether my idea is good? +

AI can help draft surveys and summarise answers, but it cannot tell you what your customers actually feel. Only real people can, and a Problem Analyst finds and asks them.

How many responses do I need? +

Enough to see a clear pattern. Many teams aim for dozens of survey responses plus a handful of in-depth interviews with people who have the problem.

What if the problem turns out to be small? +

Then you have saved months. Use the findings to refine the problem or focus on the group that feels it most.

How much does it cost to recruit this role? +

Volunteers give their time for experience, not pay. You subscribe to the Idea plan at £49 a month or £490 a year, which lets you recruit up to 15 Volunteer team members across every validation role. See the Idea plan.

Test it ·
prove it ✦

Ready to recruit your Problem Analyst?

Create your company account, list an Opportunity with the matching template and start meeting Volunteers this week.

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