Solution Brief
A solution brief is a concise, one-page document that communicates the proposed solution to a problem. It serves as the bridge between problem understanding and detailed specification, providing enough context for stakeholders to align on the approach without getting lost in implementation details. The one-page constraint forces clarity and prioritization.
When to Use
- Pitching a solution approach to stakeholders for buy-in
- Aligning cross-functional teams on what you're building and why
- Documenting solution intent before detailed PRD writing
- Comparing multiple solution options at a high level
- Communicating product direction to leadership
When NOT to Use
- Stakeholders are aligned and engineering needs the full specification -> use
deliver-prd; the brief pitches, the PRD specifies - The problem is not yet framed or agreed -> use
define-problem-statementfirst - You are recording a decision already made -> use
develop-adr(technical) ordevelop-design-rationale(design) - You need to compare strategic options across the whole business model -> use
foundation-lean-canvas
Instructions
When asked to create a solution brief, follow these steps:
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Recap the Problem Summarize the problem in 2-3 sentences maximum. Don't re-explain the full problem statement - reference it if needed. The reader should immediately understand what pain point this solution addresses.
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Describe the Proposed Solution Explain what you're building in clear, non-technical language. Focus on the user experience and core value proposition. Avoid implementation details - this is about what, not how.
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List Key Features Identify 3-5 essential features that comprise the solution. These should be the minimum set needed to solve the problem. Resist the urge to include nice-to-haves - the one-page constraint demands focus.
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Define Success Metrics Connect the solution to measurable outcomes. How will you know if this works? Reference metrics from the problem statement and set targets.
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Acknowledge Trade-offs Document what you're explicitly NOT doing and why. Good solution briefs are honest about scope limitations and alternatives that were considered but rejected.
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Identify Risks and Mitigations Surface the biggest risks to success and your plan to address them. This builds stakeholder confidence and surfaces concerns early.
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Outline Next Steps Provide 3-5 immediate actions to move the solution forward. Be specific about who does what.
Output Format
Use the template in references/TEMPLATE.md to structure the output. A complete brief fills every template section: Problem Recap; Proposed Solution; Key Features; Success Metrics; Trade-offs Considered; Risks & Mitigations; and Next Steps.
Quality Checklist
Before finalizing, verify:
- Brief fits on one page when printed (approximately 500-700 words)
- Problem recap is concise (2-3 sentences maximum)
- Solution description avoids technical jargon
- Features are limited to 3-5 essential capabilities
- Trade-offs are explicitly stated
- Next steps are specific and actionable
Examples
See references/EXAMPLE.md for a completed example.
