{"id":6933,"date":"2026-11-02T13:26:49","date_gmt":"2026-11-02T13:26:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/?p=6933"},"modified":"2026-11-02T13:26:51","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T13:26:51","slug":"what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Jobs to Be Done (JTBD)? Definition and Best Practices"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#What_Is_Jobs_to_Be_Done\" >What Is Jobs to Be Done?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#Why_JTBD_Matters\" >Why JTBD Matters<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#The_Core_Concepts_of_JTBD\" >The Core Concepts of JTBD<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#The_job\" >The job<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#Functional_emotional_and_social_dimensions\" >Functional, emotional and social dimensions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#Context_and_circumstance\" >Context and circumstance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#Desired_outcomes\" >Desired outcomes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#Forces_of_progress\" >Forces of progress<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#How_to_Write_a_Job_Statement\" >How to Write a Job Statement<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#Examples_of_JTBD_in_Action\" >Examples of JTBD in Action<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#Best_Practices_for_Applying_JTBD\" >Best Practices for Applying JTBD<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#1_Start_with_customer_interviews_focused_on_switching\" >1. Start with customer interviews focused on switching<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#2_Focus_on_the_situation_not_the_person\" >2. Focus on the situation, not the person<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#3_Map_the_job_into_steps\" >3. Map the job into steps<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#4_Identify_the_real_competition\" >4. Identify the real competition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#5_Quantify_and_prioritize\" >5. Quantify and prioritize<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#6_Use_jobs_to_shape_your_value_proposition\" >6. Use jobs to shape your value proposition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#7_Combine_JTBD_with_personas_dont_replace_them\" >7. Combine JTBD with personas, don\u2019t replace them<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#8_Embed_jobs_in_everyday_product_work\" >8. Embed jobs in everyday product work<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#9_Validate_with_prototypes_and_testing\" >9. Validate with prototypes and testing<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#Common_JTBD_Mistakes_to_Avoid\" >Common JTBD Mistakes to Avoid<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#When_to_Use_JTBD\" >When to Use JTBD<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#Bringing_It_All_Together\" >Bringing It All Together<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why does someone buy a drill? A product team might answer with specs: torque, battery life, price. But the person standing in the hardware store doesn\u2019t want a drill. They want a hole in the wall so they can hang a shelf, so the room feels finished. The drill is just the tool they hire to get there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That shift in thinking is the heart of Jobs to Be Done (JTBD), a framework that helps teams understand what customers are really trying to accomplish. This guide explains what JTBD is, its core concepts, examples, and best practices for applying it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Jobs_to_Be_Done\"><\/span><strong>What Is Jobs to Be Done?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jobs to Be Done is a framework for understanding customer motivation. Its central idea is that people \u201chire\u201d products and services to make progress in a particular situation. The \u201cjob\u201d is that progress: the change someone wants in their life or work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The idea was popularized by Harvard professor Clayton Christensen, and shaped by practitioners such as Tony Ulwick and Bob Moesta. A well-known example from Christensen\u2019s work involves a fast-food chain trying to sell more milkshakes. Demographic analysis went nowhere, but interviews revealed that many morning customers were hiring the milkshake to make a long, boring commute more interesting and to keep them full until lunch. Once the team understood that job, they knew what to improve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">JTBD shifts the focus from <strong>who the customer is<\/strong> to <strong>what they are trying to get done<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_JTBD_Matters\"><\/span><strong>Why JTBD Matters<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Traditional segmentation groups people by age, income or job title. The trouble is that people with identical profiles often behave very differently, while very different people may share the same goal. Demographics describe customers; they rarely explain their choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">JTBD helps teams:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Understand real motivations<\/strong> rather than guessing from surface traits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Find unmet needs<\/strong> that competitors overlook<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>See the true competition,<\/strong> which includes anything that gets the job done, not just similar products<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prioritize features<\/strong> based on progress delivered rather than opinion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Align teams<\/strong> around a shared view of customer value<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Core_Concepts_of_JTBD\"><\/span><strong>The Core Concepts of JTBD<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_job\"><\/span>The job<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A job is the progress a person seeks in a given circumstance. It is solution-agnostic: it describes the goal, not the product. \u201cGet to work on time without stress\u201d is a job. \u201cUse a ride-hailing app\u201d is not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Functional_emotional_and_social_dimensions\"><\/span>Functional, emotional and social dimensions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every job has multiple layers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Functional:<\/strong> the practical task, such as transferring money or scheduling a meeting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Emotional:<\/strong> how the person wants to feel, such as confident, relaxed or in control<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Social:<\/strong> how they want to be perceived, such as competent, responsible or modern<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Great products address all three. A banking app that moves money quickly (functional) but makes users anxious (emotional) is only half-successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Context_and_circumstance\"><\/span>Context and circumstance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jobs arise in specific situations. The same person may hire different solutions at different times: a quick snack on a commute, a proper meal with family. Understanding context is often more useful than understanding the person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Desired_outcomes\"><\/span>Desired outcomes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Outcomes are the measurable criteria people use to judge how well a job is done, such as \u201cminimize the time it takes to find a document\u201d or \u201creduce the likelihood of making an error.\u201d These make jobs concrete enough to design and test against.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Forces_of_progress\"><\/span>Forces of progress<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Moesta\u2019s framework describes four forces that influence whether someone switches to a new solution:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Push:<\/strong> frustration with the current situation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pull:<\/strong> attraction toward a new solution<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Anxiety:<\/strong> fears and doubts about changing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Habit:<\/strong> comfort with the existing way<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Teams often focus only on pull (features and benefits) and ignore anxiety and habit, which are frequently what stop people from adopting a product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Write_a_Job_Statement\"><\/span><strong>How to Write a Job Statement<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A common format for job statements is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>When [situation], I want to [motivation], so I can [expected outcome].<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>When I\u2019m preparing for a client meeting, I want to see all past conversations in one place, so I can walk in confident and informed.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>When I\u2019m traveling for work, I want to submit expenses quickly, so I can avoid chasing receipts later.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>When I run out of ideas for dinner, I want a simple recipe based on what I already have, so I can avoid another takeaway order.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notice that none of them mention a product or a feature. That is intentional. Solution-free statements leave room for creative thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Examples_of_JTBD_in_Action\"><\/span><strong>Examples of JTBD in Action<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Milkshakes at breakfast.<\/strong> The job was not \u201cenjoy dessert.\u201d It was \u201cmake my commute less boring and keep me full.\u201d That insight pointed to thicker shakes and faster service, not new flavors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Music streaming.<\/strong> People were not hiring music services merely to \u201clisten to songs.\u201d Many were hiring them to \u201cset the mood for a workout\u201d or \u201cfocus while working.\u201d Curated playlists emerged from understanding those jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A project management tool.<\/strong> A team discovers customers are not trying to \u201cmanage tasks.\u201d They are trying to \u201cstay calm when a deadline is near and everyone is asking for updates.\u201d That insight shifts the product toward clear status visibility and fewer notifications, rather than more features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A fintech app.<\/strong> Users who open a budgeting tool may actually be trying to \u201cfeel in control of money after an unexpected expense.\u201d The emotional job drives design choices such as reassuring language, simple visuals and small wins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Practices_for_Applying_JTBD\"><\/span><strong>Best Practices for Applying JTBD<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Start_with_customer_interviews_focused_on_switching\"><\/span>1. Start with customer interviews focused on switching<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most revealing JTBD research asks about real decisions customers recently made: what prompted them to look for something new, what alternatives they considered, what nearly stopped them, and what finally made them switch. Specific stories beat opinions. Our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/engaging-with-users-guidelines-for-crafting-effective-ux-research-interview-questions\">UX research interview questions<\/a> offers practical advice on asking questions that uncover real behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Focus_on_the_situation_not_the_person\"><\/span>2. Focus on the situation, not the person<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ask what was happening when the person decided to act. Triggers such as a new job, a missed deadline or a frustrating experience often reveal the real job behind the purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Map_the_job_into_steps\"><\/span>3. Map the job into steps<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Break a job into stages, for example: define the goal, gather what is needed, prepare, execute, monitor and conclude. Identify where people struggle at each step. These friction points become your opportunities. Pairing job maps with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/how-does-customer-journey-impact-user-experience\">customer journey<\/a> view helps you see how the job unfolds across touchpoints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Identify_the_real_competition\"><\/span>4. Identify the real competition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the job is \u201crelax after a long day,\u201d your competitors include streaming services, games, books and a walk outside. Looking beyond direct rivals can reveal both threats and openings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Quantify_and_prioritize\"><\/span>5. Quantify and prioritize<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you have a list of desired outcomes, ask customers how important each is and how satisfied they are with current solutions. Outcomes that are highly important but poorly satisfied are your best opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Use_jobs_to_shape_your_value_proposition\"><\/span>6. Use jobs to shape your value proposition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A strong value proposition describes how your product helps people complete a job better than the alternatives. If you are refining positioning, our article on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-a-product-value-proposition-and-how-to-create-one\">what a product value proposition is and how to create one<\/a> is a useful companion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Combine_JTBD_with_personas_dont_replace_them\"><\/span>7. Combine JTBD with personas, don\u2019t replace them<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Personas capture who users are; JTBD captures what they are trying to do. Used together, they give a richer picture. Teams that already work with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-user-persona-definition-and-best-practices\">user personas<\/a> can enrich them by adding the key jobs each persona is trying to accomplish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Embed_jobs_in_everyday_product_work\"><\/span>8. Embed jobs in everyday product work<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Write user stories and feature briefs in job language. Review roadmap items by asking which job they serve and how they improve the outcome. Share job statements across design, engineering, marketing and support so everyone works from the same understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Validate_with_prototypes_and_testing\"><\/span>9. Validate with prototypes and testing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jobs are hypotheses until tested. Build prototypes that address a specific job and see whether users complete it faster, with less effort or more confidence. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/service\/user-research-and-persona-development\">user research and persona development<\/a> service shows how research and validation fit together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_JTBD_Mistakes_to_Avoid\"><\/span><strong>Common JTBD Mistakes to Avoid<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Describing solutions instead of jobs,<\/strong> such as \u201cuse a dashboard\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Making jobs too broad<\/strong> (\u201cbe happy\u201d) or too narrow (\u201cclick the export button\u201d)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ignoring emotional and social jobs<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Relying on surveys alone,<\/strong> which capture opinions rather than behavior<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Interviewing only existing customers,<\/strong> missing non-users and people who switched away<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Collecting jobs without acting on them<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Treating JTBD as a replacement for all other methods<\/strong> rather than a lens that complements them<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_to_Use_JTBD\"><\/span><strong>When to Use JTBD<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">JTBD is useful at many stages: exploring new product ideas, improving an existing product, repositioning in the market, writing messaging, or deciding what to build next. It is especially powerful when feature requests are piling up and the team needs a way to separate what customers say from what they truly need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bringing_It_All_Together\"><\/span><strong>Bringing It All Together<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jobs to Be Done reframes product thinking around a simple question: what progress is the customer trying to make? By understanding the situation, the functional and emotional dimensions of the job, and the forces that help or hinder change, teams can design products that fit real lives rather than assumed preferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start with a handful of customer interviews, write a few job statements, and test them against your current roadmap. You may find that the most valuable improvement is not a new feature at all, but a better way of helping people get their job done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want to build products grounded in real customer needs, our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/services\/ui-ux-design-services\">UI\/UX design services<\/a> can help you turn research into experiences that make a difference.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why does someone buy a drill? A product team might answer with specs: torque, battery life, price. But the person standing in the hardware store doesn\u2019t want a drill. They want a hole in the wall so they can hang a shelf, so the room feels finished. The drill is just the tool they hire&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">What Is Jobs to Be Done (JTBD)? Definition and Best Practices<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6933","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Is Jobs to Be Done (JTBD)? Examples &amp; Best Practices<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn what Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) is, how the framework explains why people choose products, with real examples, job statements and best practices for product teams.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Is Jobs to Be Done (JTBD)? Examples &amp; Best Practices\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn what Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) is, how the framework explains why people choose products, with real examples, job statements and best practices for product teams.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"OriginUX Studio\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-11-02T13:26:49+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-11-02T13:26:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"master.origin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"master.origin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"master.origin\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/person\/735b211d8a21c6181bb758144923ef3c\"},\"headline\":\"What Is Jobs to Be Done (JTBD)? Definition and Best Practices\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-11-02T13:26:49+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-11-02T13:26:51+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/\"},\"wordCount\":1563,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#organization\"},\"articleSection\":[\"Blog\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/\",\"name\":\"What Is Jobs to Be Done (JTBD)? Examples & Best Practices\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-11-02T13:26:49+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-11-02T13:26:51+00:00\",\"description\":\"Learn what Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) is, how the framework explains why people choose products, with real examples, job statements and best practices for product teams.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"What Is Jobs to Be Done (JTBD)? Definition and Best Practices\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/\",\"name\":\"OriginUX Studio\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#organization\",\"name\":\"OriginUX Studio\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/origin-logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/origin-logo.png\",\"width\":120,\"height\":120,\"caption\":\"OriginUX Studio\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/person\/735b211d8a21c6181bb758144923ef3c\",\"name\":\"master.origin\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/356acc98edd1351e180a192318e3335999f553b20c01c8a00391239e394d4727?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/356acc98edd1351e180a192318e3335999f553b20c01c8a00391239e394d4727?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/356acc98edd1351e180a192318e3335999f553b20c01c8a00391239e394d4727?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"master.origin\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/author\/master-origin\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What Is Jobs to Be Done (JTBD)? Examples & Best Practices","description":"Learn what Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) is, how the framework explains why people choose products, with real examples, job statements and best practices for product teams.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"What Is Jobs to Be Done (JTBD)? Examples & Best Practices","og_description":"Learn what Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) is, how the framework explains why people choose products, with real examples, job statements and best practices for product teams.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/","og_site_name":"OriginUX Studio","article_published_time":"2026-11-02T13:26:49+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-11-02T13:26:51+00:00","author":"master.origin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"master.origin","Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/"},"author":{"name":"master.origin","@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/person\/735b211d8a21c6181bb758144923ef3c"},"headline":"What Is Jobs to Be Done (JTBD)? Definition and Best Practices","datePublished":"2026-11-02T13:26:49+00:00","dateModified":"2026-11-02T13:26:51+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/"},"wordCount":1563,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#organization"},"articleSection":["Blog"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/","url":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/","name":"What Is Jobs to Be Done (JTBD)? Examples & Best Practices","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-11-02T13:26:49+00:00","dateModified":"2026-11-02T13:26:51+00:00","description":"Learn what Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) is, how the framework explains why people choose products, with real examples, job statements and best practices for product teams.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/what-is-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-definition-and-best-practices\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What Is Jobs to Be Done (JTBD)? Definition and Best Practices"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/","name":"OriginUX Studio","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#organization","name":"OriginUX Studio","url":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/origin-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/origin-logo.png","width":120,"height":120,"caption":"OriginUX Studio"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/person\/735b211d8a21c6181bb758144923ef3c","name":"master.origin","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/356acc98edd1351e180a192318e3335999f553b20c01c8a00391239e394d4727?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/356acc98edd1351e180a192318e3335999f553b20c01c8a00391239e394d4727?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/356acc98edd1351e180a192318e3335999f553b20c01c8a00391239e394d4727?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"master.origin"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.originux.com"],"url":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/author\/master-origin\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6933","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6933"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6933\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6934,"href":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6933\/revisions\/6934"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6933"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6933"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6933"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}