CreateAthon

CreateAthon Ideation Framework

1. Solutions – Generate and rank business ideas.

2. Problems – Identify and validate the problems these solutions address.

3. Features – Define key features of the remaining solutions.

4. Benefits – Identify benefits associated with each feature.

5. Target Market – Define the potential customers for the final solution.

How to Use It in CreateAthon:

1. Once teams identify the problems associated with their top 5 solutions, they should score each problem independently using the scorecard.

2. Compare total scores and eliminate the weakest problems before moving forward to the Features & Benefits stage.

If two problems have similar scores, discuss and justify which one feels most impactful 

1. Solution Generation - Each team member writes down 5 business ideas. Team then ranks and selects the top 5.

2. Problem Validation - Use the problem scoreboard. Discuss the scores and reduce solutions down to 3.

3. Brutal Cut Review - Conduct a brutal review of each problem.

4. Feature Analysis - Identify key features of the remaining solutions.

5. Benefit Analysis - Define the benefits of each feature and ensure clarity on why they matter.

6. Target Market Definition - Define customer profiles, answering key questions about who needs the solution, where they can be found, and what influences their decisions.

7. Final Validation & Pitch Preparation - Conduct quick market research, peer feedback, or competitor analysis. Teams finalize their top solution and prepare a one-minute elevator pitch. 

Problem Score Card: Rate 1-5: Reasoning:

Severity of the Problem

Frequency

Number of People Affected

Current Solution Gap

Willingness to Pay

Total Score (out of 25): ___

• 20-25 → Strong problem worth solving! Move forward.

• 15-19 → Promising but needs more validation.

• 10-14 → Might not be significant enough—consider pivoting.

Below 10 → Weak problem. Is this really worth solving?