The TOPS plan

The One Problem Solved

One person. One painful problem. One simple solution. Then you prove it. Every IdeaScore analysis turns your idea into a TOPS plan with four clear steps.

1. Step 1 · Find

   Who should I help?

   Pick one specific person to serve — not everyone. The narrower the person, the easier it is to reach them and speak their language.

   Too vague

   “Small business owners.”

   TOPS example

   “Independent real estate agents who lose leads because they reply too slowly.”

2. Step 2 · Solve

   What is the one painful problem?

   Name the single problem that costs that person time, money or stress right now. One problem, solved well, beats a long list of features.

   Too vague

   “Help agents with marketing, admin and AI.”

   TOPS example

   “New leads go cold because agents can't follow up within 5 minutes.”

3. Step 3 · Sell

   What should I build first?

   Offer one simple solution you can deliver quickly, at a price to test. Start small — a service, a template or a short program — before building anything big.

   Too vague

   “A full AI course with 40 lessons and an app.”

   TOPS example

   “A done-with-you AI follow-up setup for $297, delivered in one week.”

4. Step 4 · Prove

   How do I know they'll pay?

   Get real people to pay before you invest more. Your goal is your first 5 paying customers — that's the proof the idea works.

   Too vague

   “Friends said they love the idea.”

   TOPS example

   “5 agents paid $297 after 20 direct conversations.”

Examples are for illustration only and are not results from a real customer.