Usually you have to go where those affected people are in order to get out of your subjective zone. When you get there you find those who are concerned and look for signs of controversy. Arguments, trolls, emotional behavior, etc.
Another simple example, but you can see people do this with Ask submissions (and their analogs in other communities): They front-load the problem with objectivity by asking others, "what problems are bothering you," "what would make work easier for you," etc.
This is how they identify the problem in the first place. A lot of them are looking to leverage the feedback into buy-in when they come back with a solution.
The approach looks simple but it does a good job of keeping the leverage side clean of too much subjectivity in the beginning of the process, so it's easier to make sure it's a problem that's not just something you perceive. (Also if you get "yeah, but..." feedback to your solution, it starts looking rude really fast, which can be the right kind of pressure when your solution is novel or requires some learning)
This is a good point. I'm super worried i'm "They front-load the problem with objectivity" as you put it.
My problem is more like I've potentially found a way to streamline/improve this process. Concern is however will it be important enough to get users attention, let alone monetizing down the line.
Usually you have to go where those affected people are in order to get out of your subjective zone. When you get there you find those who are concerned and look for signs of controversy. Arguments, trolls, emotional behavior, etc.
Another simple example, but you can see people do this with Ask submissions (and their analogs in other communities): They front-load the problem with objectivity by asking others, "what problems are bothering you," "what would make work easier for you," etc.
This is how they identify the problem in the first place. A lot of them are looking to leverage the feedback into buy-in when they come back with a solution.
The approach looks simple but it does a good job of keeping the leverage side clean of too much subjectivity in the beginning of the process, so it's easier to make sure it's a problem that's not just something you perceive. (Also if you get "yeah, but..." feedback to your solution, it starts looking rude really fast, which can be the right kind of pressure when your solution is novel or requires some learning)