What if you’re solving the wrong problem?
Imagine spending weeks researching, designing, and refining a solution, only to discover that the problem you were trying to solve wasn’t the real problem at all.
It happens more often than we’d like to admit.
As designers and researchers, we’re often expected to have answers. Stakeholders come with requests, teams have deadlines, and everyone wants to know what we’re building next.
But what happens when we start looking for solutions before we fully understand the problem?
The value of exploring the unknown
Foundational research helps us understand people, their environments, behaviors, and needs before deciding what needs to be built.
Unlike research focused on testing an existing idea, foundational research creates room to discover things we may not have considered.
For example, imagine a team wants to redesign a banking app because customers aren’t using a particular feature.
The immediate assumption might be that the feature is difficult to find or use.
But after speaking with customers, the team discovers something different. People understand the feature perfectly well. They simply don’t trust it enough to use it.
Suddenly, the challenge isn’t about improving navigation. It’s about building trust.
That’s what happens when we make room for discovery before committing to a solution.
Three questions to ask before your next project
Before jumping into research plans, wireframes, or prototypes, ask yourself:
What are we assuming? Identify the beliefs your team is treating as facts.
What don’t we know yet? Look beyond the immediate request to understand the people and context involved.
What could change our understanding of the problem? Stay open to findings that challenge your original direction.
These questions won’t eliminate uncertainty, but they’ll help you approach it with curiosity rather than assumptions.
From the UXCon26 stage: Understanding the unknown
At UXCon26, Leo Hoar offered a valuable perspective on foundational research and why exploring unfamiliar territory is essential before defining problems or pursuing solutions.
His message reinforces something worth remembering: meaningful discoveries often begin before we even know what we’re looking for.
In Case You Missed It: UXCON26 Highlights
The conversations didn’t end when UXCON26 wrapped up.
From thought-provoking speaker sessions to practical insights and memorable moments, there’s plenty worth revisiting.
We’ve been sharing highlights, speaker clips, and key takeaways from this year’s conference on the UXCON website.
Whether you attended or couldn’t make it, there’s something to learn, revisit, or discover.
One last thought
The next time someone asks you to design a solution, consider asking one more question before you begin:
Are we solving the problem we’ve been given, or have we taken the time to discover the problem that actually matters?
Understand the unknown. Discover what matters. Build with purpose.
Until next Wednesday,
The UXU Team
