What is customer development?

Customer development is the process of studying and understanding customer needs to create a product that truly solves their problems. Unlike the traditional approach, where a product is developed based on assumptions, customer development focuses on direct interaction with users.

Main stages:

1. Formulating hypotheses about customer problems and needs.
2. Conducting interviews and surveys to test these hypotheses.
3. Analyzing the data obtained and adjusting the product or idea.
4. Repeating the cycle until the product-market fit is achieved.

For example, a startup might first conduct a series of interviews with potential users to understand what features they really need before investing resources in development.

This helps reduce risks and create a in-demand product.