Evaluating problems in learning tennis using Pies framework

I’m working on building an app for the #shipathon and #buildinpublic challenge by RevenueCat, but I’m still figuring out which problem to solve. I’ve noticed some issues faced by parents in the tennis community where my child plays, and my wife and I have experienced the same problems ourselves. We’ve identified a few of these issues and used the Pies framework that I developed 2 days back to brainstorm and score them.

Pies framework. Designed by a human (me)

1. Kids Losing Interest in Tennis Lessons

Problem:

Many children start playing tennis at a young age, around 5 to 10 years old. Initially, they might be excited about learning a new sport, but over time, their interest can fade. This lack of motivation makes it challenging for parents to convince their kids to keep going to tennis lessons regularly. It’s especially concerning because if kids stick with tennis, they have a good chance of becoming skilled players. However, if they lose interest and stop attending lessons, they miss out on this opportunity.

Impact:

If we can find a way to keep these young kids interested and motivated to continue with their tennis lessons, it would be highly beneficial for both the children and their parents. For the kids, it means developing a love for the sport and potentially excelling in it as they grow older. For the parents, it takes away the stress of constantly having to encourage or even push their kids to attend practice. It would also ensure that the time and money invested in these lessons aren’t wasted.

End Users:

The primary end users in this scenario are kids aged 5 to 10 years, who are just beginning their tennis journey. However, their parents, who play a crucial role in deciding and financing these lessons, are also key stakeholders.

Sellability:

Parents who understand the importance of keeping their children engaged in a sport are likely to invest in any solution that helps maintain their child’s interest in tennis. Many parents recognize the value of sports for their child’s physical and mental development, so a product or service that helps with this would likely appeal to them, especially if it offers practical ways to keep kids motivated.

2. Beginners Losing Motivation After the First Year

Problem:

Teenagers and young adults, aged 10 to 20, often begin learning tennis with a lot of enthusiasm. During the first year, they may see significant progress, which keeps them motivated. However, as they continue into the second year, the improvements might not be as noticeable or as rapid as before. This slowdown in visible progress can be discouraging, causing some to lose motivation and even consider quitting, thinking that tennis might not be the right sport for them.

Impact:

If we can create a way to keep these teens and young adults motivated, even when their progress isn’t as visible, it would greatly benefit them. Staying engaged in tennis would help them continue to develop their skills, which is essential for long-term success in the sport. Moreover, regular practice would contribute to their overall physical fitness and mental well-being, helping them build discipline and resilience.

End Users:

The main end users here are beginner tennis players aged 10 to 20. Their parents are also important, especially for the younger teens, as they may be the ones funding and encouraging their child’s tennis activities.

Sellability:

Parents, particularly those of younger teenagers, would likely pay for a solution that helps their children stay motivated to continue with tennis. Additionally, older teens who are more aware of the benefits of persistence may themselves seek out tools or resources that keep them engaged in the sport. A product that offers consistent motivation or makes their progress more visible would likely appeal to this demographic.

3. Confusion About Choosing Tennis Gear

Problem:

Beginner tennis players, especially those aged 10 to 40, often find themselves confused about the many choices they have to make regarding their tennis gear. Questions like “Am I using the right racket?” or “Which shoes are best for me?” are common. There are so many options available that it can be overwhelming for beginners to decide what’s right for them. This confusion can lead to uncertainty and may even slow down their progress, as they might not be using the equipment that best suits their needs.

Impact:

Providing clear and easy-to-understand advice on how to choose the right tennis gear would help beginners make more informed decisions. When players are confident in their equipment choices, they are likely to enjoy the game more and improve at a faster pace. This also reduces the frustration that comes from not knowing if their gear is holding them back. Furthermore, knowing that they have the right tools for the job can boost their confidence on the court, leading to a more positive overall experience.

End Users:

This issue primarily affects beginner tennis players who are just starting out and need guidance to navigate the complexities of choosing the right gear. This group includes a wide age range, from kids and teens to adults who are new to the sport. These players are eager to learn and improve but need help making sure they’re using the right equipment.

Sellability:

A solution that offers personalized guidance on selecting tennis gear would be very appealing to beginners. This could include tips on choosing the right racket, shoes, and other essential equipment based on their individual needs and skill level. Players who are serious about improving their game are likely to pay for such a resource, as it helps them avoid common mistakes and gives them the confidence to focus on their technique and overall game.

Let’s score all 3 problems using the steps below:

1. Give a score out of 5 for each component in the Pies framework (Problem, Impact, End Users, Sellability)
2. Note down the total score out of 20.
3. Repeat for all the problems and compare which ones rank higer. Avoid biases when scoring.
4. Remember, we are weighing the problem and not the solution

1. Kids Losing Interest in Tennis Lessons

Problem: 5 — This is a significant and clearly defined problem. Young kids often lose interest in tennis, which can prevent them from realizing their potential in the sport.

Impact: 5 Solving this problem would have a substantial impact, as it would help kids stay engaged in a healthy activity and reduce the stress on parents trying to keep their children motivated.

End Users: 5 The primary end users are kids aged 5 to 10 and their parents. This is a large and highly motivated group.

Sellability: 4 Will users pay for it? Yes, parents are likely to pay for a solution that helps keep their children interested in tennis. Competitive Landscape: There are some existing motivational tools, but there may not be many specifically tailored to tennis, giving this solution a niche advantage. User Engagement Over Time:** High. If the solution effectively keeps kids motivated, parents and kids are likely to continue using it.

Total Score: 19/20

2. Beginners Losing Motivation After the First Year

Problem: 4 This is an important problem that affects a wide range of beginner players, including teens, young adults, and middle-aged individuals. After the initial excitement, progress can slow down, leading to a loss of motivation.

Impact: 4 Solving this problem would help beginners continue to develop their tennis skills and stay physically active, which has significant benefits.

End Users: 4 The main users are beginner tennis players of various ages, from teens to middle-aged adults, and their parents (for younger players). This group is somewhat smaller and less proactive compared to parents of younger children.

Sellability: 4 Will users pay for it? Likely, though perhaps less so than for younger children. Parents and older beginners might invest in a tool that helps keep them motivated. Competitive Landscape: There may be more general tools for motivation and progress tracking, but fewer that are specific to tennis. User Engagement Over Time: Moderate to High. If the solution effectively shows progress or keeps them motivated, beginners are likely to continue using it, though they may outgrow it over time.

Total Score: 16/20

3. Confusion About Choosing Tennis Gear

Problem: 3 This is a real problem but less severe than motivational issues. It primarily affects beginners who are unsure about gear choices.

Impact: 3 The impact is moderate, as it helps beginners make better choices and feel more confident, but it doesn’t address deeper issues like motivation.

End Users: 4 The end users are beginners aged 10 to 40. This is a broad group, though the problem doesn’t impact them as deeply as motivational issues.

Sellability: 3.5 Will users pay for it? Yes, beginners are likely to pay for advice on gear selection, especially if it saves them time and helps them avoid mistakes. Competitive Landscape: There is likely more competition in this space, as many general and sport-specific resources already exist to help with gear selection. User Engagement Over Time: Moderate. Once users have made their gear choices, they may not need ongoing guidance, leading to lower long-term engagement.

Total Score: 13.5/20

Summary and Ranking with Updated Pies Framework

1. Kids Losing Interest in Tennis Lessons: 19/20 This problem ranks the highest. It has a strong impact, a large user base, and good potential for user engagement over time, with relatively little competition in the tennis-specific motivational space.

2. Beginners Losing Motivation After the First Year: 16/20 This problem is crucial for maintaining engagement in tennis for a wide range of beginners, from teens to middle-aged individuals. The market demand is good, and while the competitive landscape is moderate, user engagement is likely to be strong, though it may decrease over time.

3. Confusion About Choosing Tennis Gear: 13.5/20 This problem ranks third. It is a valid issue with potential sellability, but the competitive landscape is more crowded, and user engagement may drop off after initial use.

So, with that evaluation, I’ll pick #1 and 2 and start to brainstorm on a solution.