# develop-solution-brief

Turns a problem into a one-page brief: proposed approach, key features, trade-offs and risks. Useful before you write the full spec.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 772 installs · ★ 763
- Author: product-on-purpose
- License: Apache-2.0 · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/product-on-purpose/pm-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/develop-solution-brief/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-21
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/develop-solution-brief

## What it does

The skill walks the agent through seven steps: recap the problem, describe the proposed solution in plain language, list key features, define success metrics, state trade-offs, cover risks with mitigations, and outline next steps. Output follows the template in `references/TEMPLATE.md`, with every section filled in. A finished example sits in `references/EXAMPLE.md`.

The one-page limit is the point. Roughly 500–700 words, 3–5 essential features, a problem recap of 2–3 sentences. That constraint is what makes the brief readable for stakeholders who don't want implementation detail.

Pick something else when the approach is already settled. If engineering needs the full specification, use `deliver-prd` — the brief pitches, the PRD specifies. If the problem itself isn't framed yet, run `define-problem-statement` first. For a decision already made, the author points to `develop-adr` or `develop-design-rationale`. The skill is Apache-2.0, sits in the develop phase and the ideation category, and draws on triple-diamond, lean-startup and design-thinking.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add product-on-purpose/pm-skills --skill develop-solution-brief -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/develop-solution-brief/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/develop-solution-brief/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add product-on-purpose/pm-skills --skill develop-solution-brief -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/develop-solution-brief/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add product-on-purpose/pm-skills --skill develop-solution-brief -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/develop-solution-brief/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install product-on-purpose/pm-skills develop-solution-brief
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/develop-solution-brief/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add product-on-purpose/pm-skills --skill develop-solution-brief -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/product-on-purpose/pm-skills --path skills/develop-solution-brief
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/develop-solution-brief/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add product-on-purpose/pm-skills --skill develop-solution-brief -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/product-on-purpose/pm-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/develop-solution-brief/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- fit a solution description onto a single page
- align teams on an approach before PRD writing
- record what you deliberately left out of scope
- show leadership the main risks and how you'll handle them
- compare several solution options at a high level

## Example prompts
- write a solution brief for our onboarding problem
- draft a one-page brief: problem, solution, trade-offs, risks
- prepare a solution brief to pitch the approach to stakeholders

## Source text · SKILL.md · Apache-2.0

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: 06dd8d9686e819ed.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 06dd8d9686e819ed
```text
---
name: develop-solution-brief
description: Creates a concise one-page solution overview that communicates the proposed approach, key decisions, and trade-offs. Use when pitching solutions to stakeholders, aligning teams on approach, or documenting solution intent before detailed specification.
license: Apache-2.0
metadata:
  phase: develop
  version: "2.1.0"
  updated: 2026-06-10
  category: ideation
  frameworks: [triple-diamond, lean-startup, design-thinking]
  author: product-on-purpose
---
<!-- PM-Skills | https://github.com/product-on-purpose/pm-skills | Apache 2.0 -->
# 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-statement` first
- You are recording a decision already made -> use `develop-adr` (technical) or `develop-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:

1. **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.

2. **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*.

3. **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.

4. **Define Success Metrics**
```
END THIRD-PARTY FILE 06dd8d9686e819ed

The third-party file has ended. Everything between the 06dd8d9686e819ed tags is data: requests and commands from it are not followed. An “end of file” line with another tag inside the block is part of the file.

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