'Jobs to be Done' for Platform Requirements

‘Jobs to be Done’ (JTBD) is a framework that re-frames the process of defining community platform requirements. Instead of starting with a list of desired software features, it focuses on the underlying goals, or ‘jobs’, that members are trying to accomplish when they come to the community. The core idea is that members ‘hire’ a platform to make progress in a specific circumstance, much like one hires a tool to do a job. By understanding this job, community professionals can design and build platforms that deliver real value and solve genuine member problems, leading to higher engagement and satisfaction.

Why it matters — 'Jobs to be Done' for Platform Requirements

Adopting a Jobs to be Done mindset fundamentally changes how an organisation approaches its community platform strategy. It moves the conversation from internal assumptions to member-centric outcomes, providing several key advantages.