It seems like everyone and their cat has an idea for the next groundbreaking app these days, but the real challenge is figuring out which app is actually worth developing. The app market is already flooded with everything from basic task managers to niche social networks, so how do you decide what will stand out? That’s where product strategy comes in—starting with smart frameworks to generate viable ideas for apps to develop.
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Finding Apps to Develop: Ideation Frameworks
Coming up with a successful app takes more than just brainstorming in isolation—it requires structured thinking and a clear strategy. Here are three frameworks that help you come up with innovative, realistic app ideas that can actually succeed in today’s crowded market.
The Problem-Solution Framework
At its core, this framework is all about identifying real problems and finding creative ways to solve them. The best apps don’t just entertain—they make life easier in some way. And that’s where the magic happens. Your goal should be to focus on solving a specific problem, ideally one that hasn’t been fully addressed yet, or that current solutions don’t quite nail.
How to Use It:
- Pinpoint the Problem: Look for recurring pain points in daily life or work. The more specific the problem, the better—niche challenges often mean fewer competitors.
- Think About the Target Market or Audience: Who faces this problem? Is it a common issue or a niche one? Understanding the context of your audience’s struggles is key.
- Develop a Unique Solution: Brainstorm how an app could solve this problem faster, cheaper, or more conveniently than anything out there.
Example:
- Problem: Sticking to fitness goals is tough for most people.
- Solution: An app that turns daily exercise into a game, offering challenges, badges, and social motivation.
This framework makes sure you focus on real, tangible value. It’s often covered in Design Thinking workshops at places like Stanford University’s d.school, where the emphasis is on building user-centric products that address specific problems.
Jobs to Be Done (JTBD)
The Jobs to Be Done framework shifts focus from what an app does to the outcome it helps users achieve. Instead of just thinking about features, think about what job your audience is “hiring” the app to do for them. It’s less about technology and more about results.
Steps to Apply JTBD:
- Understand the Job: What does your target user need to get done? It could be something simple, like “plan meals for the week” or something more complex, like “manage freelance income.”
- Look at Current Solutions: How do people achieve this task right now? Are they using multiple tools? Is there a gap in the process that your app could streamline?
- Deliver on the Outcome: Make sure the app helps users achieve their goal as easily as possible.
Example:
- Job: Parents need help finding activities to keep kids entertained while they work.
- App Idea: A curated daily schedule of activities tailored to kids’ ages and interests, delivered straight to parents’ phones, freeing them up to focus on their work.
The JTBD framework is particularly helpful for keeping your product focused on outcomes. It’s a well-known method used in product design and is frequently taught in courses at Harvard Business School.
SCAMPER Technique
If you’ve ever tried to take an existing idea and make it better, you’re already halfway to using SCAMPER. This technique pushes you to think about improving or evolving products by asking: Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse. SCAMPER encourages creativity by making you rethink every element of an existing solution.
Applying SCAMPER:
- Substitute: Can you replace a feature to add value?
- Combine: What if you merged two existing ideas into one app?
- Adapt: Can a proven concept from a different industry work in yours?
- Modify: How could you simplify or enhance an app’s features?
- Put to Another Use: Is there another audience that could benefit from your solution?
- Eliminate: Are there unnecessary features you could strip out?
- Reverse: Could reversing a process or feature make things better?
Example:
- Combine: What if you merged a fitness tracker with a social platform, allowing people to share their progress with friends in real time?
- Adapt: Take a weather app and adapt it to provide hikers with trail conditions and safety updates.
This is a powerful way to build on existing ideas and make something that feels fresh. It’s often taught in creative problem-solving courses and is frequently applied in design workshops like those at The Rotman School of Management.
Finding Apps to Develop: Combining the Ideation Frameworks
Once you’ve got a grip on these frameworks, you don’t have to pick just one—you can layer them for even more powerful results.
For instance, you might:
- Start with the Problem-Solution Framework: Identify a real pain point, like how hard it is to stay on top of finances.
- Use JTBD to Refine the Solution: Focus on what the user needs—like tracking expenses or saving more easily.
- Apply SCAMPER to Innovate: Could you add gamification, where users earn rewards for hitting their savings goals? Or modify the app to cater to freelancers who need help managing inconsistent income?
By combining frameworks, you ensure that your app solves meaningful problems and stands out in a crowded market.
Some Inspo for Apps to Develop (from App Developers)
With these frameworks, you can start generating innovative ideas for apps to develop. Here are some categories with potential:
- Health & Wellness Apps: The global fitness app market was valued at approximately $5.87 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow significantly, reaching over $21 billion by 2030. Whether it’s mental wellness, fitness tracking, or a habit-forming app, there’s plenty of room for innovation.
- Remote Work & Collaboration Tools: The remote work trend isn’t going anywhere. The global collaboration and remote work software market is projected to hit $23 billion by 2028. Think about tools that help remote teams work more efficiently across time zones.
- Eco-Friendly Apps: Sustainability is more than a greenwashing tactic—or rather, it’s a greenwashing tactic because it’s becoming more and more of a priority for consumers. Apps that help environmentally-concious users reduce their waste, carbon footprint, conserve energy, or shop sustainably are gaining traction.
- Educational Apps (EdTech): There’s still high demand for apps that teach everything from new languages to specific professional skills. Specialization is key here—apps that focus on niche educational needs can be incredibly successful.
- Augmented Reality (AR) Apps: AR is still relatively new, and its potential for growth is huge. Apps that allow users to virtually see how furniture looks in their home, try clothes on, or even gamify shopping experiences could take off.
Turning Concepts of Apps to Develop to Actual Products
Once you’ve settled on an app concept, it’s time to get practical:
- Research the Market: Make sure your idea fills a gap and isn’t oversaturated.
- Define Your Audience: Which kind of person will benefit from your app? Narrow this down as much as possible.
- Find the Right Developer: Whether it’s a freelancer or a full-service app development agency, finding the right technical partner is key to bringing your app to life.
- Launch a Minimum Viable Product (MVP): Start with the core functionality through MVP app development to test the market. Once you’ve gathered feedback, you can refine and expand.
Summing Up Ideation of Apps to Develop
So, yes, there are a lot of apps to develop, and a lot of apps that have already been developed. But with the right frameworks and a solid strategy, your app could go from idea to the next big thing. Whether it’s solving an everyday problem or creating a tool that brings value in a new way, your concept can make a real impact.
Need some help validating your concept, building it, and launch it into the world with an expert-strategized go-to-market motion? Reach out to us—we’d love to help 🙂
