How does the JTBD framing work?

It uses the format: 'When [situation], [user] wants to [motivation] so they can [outcome]' to ensure features are built for specific user goals.

What is a 'solution-loaded' request?

A solution-loaded request is an instruction that focuses on a specific implementation (e.g., 'Add a button' or 'We need a database') without explaining the user problem it is meant to solve.

When should I use the Problem-First Framing skill?

Use it whenever you or a stakeholder suggests adding a feature or changing an architecture without a clearly defined problem statement or supporting evidence.

Can this skill help with technical debt discussions?

Yes, it helps by forcing a discussion on what specific performance or development bottlenecks exist before jumping to complex architectural solutions.

Does this skill delay the development of urgent bug fixes?

No, the skill is designed to proceed without reframing if the problem is already clear or if it is a standard bug fix with reproduction steps.

Problem-First Framing

Name: Problem-First Framing
Author: Elmmly

byElmmly

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Productivity & Workflow

Reframes solution-oriented requests into validated problem statements to ensure purposeful development and minimize wasted effort.

The Problem-First Framing skill serves as a guardrail against 'solution-solutioning'—the tendency to build features before understanding the underlying need. It identifies solution-loaded inputs like 'we should add a dashboard' and systematically deconstructs them using Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD) logic. By surfacing assumptions, exploring evidence, and identifying the true motivations of the user, this skill ensures that every line of code written is anchored in a validated problem. It is an essential tool for developers and product teams who want to move from being 'feature factories' to outcome-driven engineering teams.

Key Features

01Discovery-focused questioning to surface data and impact evidence

02Automatic detection of solution-loaded requests and embedded assumptions

03Structured output for reframing problems, including validation steps

04Context-aware logic to skip reframing for clear bugs or validated tasks

053 GitHub stars

06Application of the Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD) framework for user motivation

Use Cases

01Evaluating architectural changes to ensure they solve real scaling problems

02Clarifying user needs during early-stage product discovery and ideation

03Transforming vague stakeholder feature requests into actionable product specs

What are Skills?·How to Install

Install with 🐟 Skill.Fish

npx skillfish add elmmly/genie-team problem-first

For use in Claude.ai and ChatGPT