Hello Reader,

Today, I want to share a simple yet powerful tool that has transformed how I approach product development.

It’s called the Customer Problem Statement, and it’s designed to help you clearly define the exact problem you’re solving – a crucial step for every SaaS founder.

What is a Customer Problem Statement?

It is a simple yet powerful tool that helps you articulate

• Identify who your customer is
• Understand what they want to achieve
• Clarify the obstacle they’re facing
• Dig into why this obstacle exists
• Capture how this makes them feel

This framework ensures your product is aligned with your audience’s most pressing needs.

Why Should SaaS Founders Use It?

Here’s how a Customer Problem Statement can add value:

• Clarity on Purpose – It forces you to think deeply about the specific problem you’re solving and for whom.
• Customer-Centric Solutions – Focusing on real pain points helps you build a product that genuinely resonates.
• Effective Communication – Your product’s value is clearer to stakeholders, investors, and your own team.
• Feature Prioritization – You can prioritize the features that address the most urgent user needs.

How to Create a Customer Problem Statement

Using the structure below, you can define and clarify each persona’s unique challenges:

• I am: (Who is your customer?)
• I’m trying to: (What are they trying to achieve?)
• But: (What’s stopping them?)
• Because: (Why does this obstacle exist?)
• Which makes me feel: (How does this problem make them feel?)

Let's take an example: A Tool Directory I am building for SaaS Founders.

For my current project, a tool directory for SaaS founders, my Customer Problem Statement looks like this:

• I am: A SaaS founder
• I’m trying to: Find affordable tools to build my product
• But: I’m overwhelmed by too many options
• Because: I lack the technical know-how to evaluate them
• Which makes me feel: Lost and uncertain about my choices

By defining this, I was able to refocus on the core pain point – helping founders find the right tools without being overwhelmed.

Takeaways

Creating Customer Problem Statements for each of your user personas will give you laser-focused insights to guide your product development, ensuring your product addresses real needs and solves real problems.

Have you tried using Customer Problem Statements in your SaaS journey? I’d love to hear about your experiences, questions, or insights. Just hit “reply” – I’d love to connect!

To your success,
Vinod

P.S. If you found this helpful, consider sharing it with a fellow founder who could benefit!