How do I know if I'm solving a real problem or a nice-to-have?

Question

Efri Dereje · Accepted Answer

Real problems have workarounds. People already spend time, money, or reputation trying to solve them. Nice-to-haves get compliments, not commitment. People like them and move on. Test with sacrifice. Ask for money, a deposit, a pilot, or time with their team. The question is not "Do they want this?" It is "What are they already giving up to make it go away?"

Do not reduce this to "people paid, therefore real problem; nobody paid, therefore nice-to-have." Payment is the strongest signal, but the diagnosis is richer than that.

Real problem Nice-to-have People already spend money, time or effort on it The cost of doing nothing is low They have workarounds They like it, save it, join the waitlist They complain about the current solution They compliment the idea They can tell you what happens if it stays unsolved They keep living normally without it

The best test is still commitment. Ask for money if you can. If you cannot, ask for something that has a real cost: a deposit, a pilot, time with their team, migration effort or an introduction to the person who controls the budget.

The question is not simply "Do people want this?" It is "What are people already willing to sacrifice to make this problem go away?"