In product and design, the quest for the “right solution” often takes center stage. It’s natural to want to craft a product that perfectly addresses a challenge, using the latest technology or an innovative approach. But what if the focus on finding the perfect solution is misguided?

I recall a time I was telling a friend about a product I was designing and he said: "It sounds like you're working on a solution without a problem." I'd never heard that before and it's stuck with me ever since.

The best products aren’t always about how sophisticated or cutting-edge the solution is; they succeed because they solve the right problem. 

Take a moment to think about how customers interact with products. They aren’t looking for complex algorithms or revolutionary design for the sake of it. They are looking for products that address their immediate needs or pain points—problems that directly impact their day-to-day lives or businesses.

When companies focus too heavily on finding the “right solution,” they often lose sight of whether they are tackling the right problem in the first place. It’s why so many tech-forward products fail despite being groundbreaking. They excel in engineering but miss the mark in understanding customer needs.

On the flip side, products that hone in on solving the right problem—no matter how simple the solution may seem—win loyalty and engagement. They understand what the customer truly needs, and by addressing that, they add real value.

So, the next time you’re building or improving a product, start by asking: Are we solving the right problem? When you get that right, the solution naturally follows.