Thursday, April 16, 2026
Date(s): 16.04.2026
Time: 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm
Venue: Auditorium, 5th Floor, Dr. D. Y. Patil B-School, Pune
Resource Person: Dr. Jitendra Sandu
Participants PGDM Students
Faculty Coordinator Dr. Lokesh Arora
Organizer Dr. D.Y. Patil B School, Pune
Objectives:
The workshop was conducted with the following objectives:
1. To introduce students to the concept of Problem–Solution Fit as the foundation of
successful entrepreneurship.
2. To help participants understand the importance of identifying and defining real-world
problems before developing solutions.
3. To enhance students' ability to conduct market validation and assess customer needs
effectively.
4. To develop analytical and strategic thinking skills for evaluating business opportunities.
5. To create awareness about customer-centric innovation and value creation.
6. To familiarize participants with techniques for validating business ideas through
customer feedback and market research.
7. To encourage evidence-based decision-making in the startup development process.
8. To strengthen participants' understanding of sustainable and scalable business models.
9. To expose students to real-world entrepreneurial case studies demonstrating successful
problem identification and solution development.
10. To inspire innovative thinking and entrepreneurial confidence in solving contemporary
business and societal challenges.
The workshop "Achieving Problem–Solution Fit", conducted by Dr. Jitendra Sandu, was
organized to provide students with a strong foundation in one of the most critical aspects of
entrepreneurship and innovation—identifying the right problem before developing a solution.
The session emphasized that successful startups are built not merely on innovative ideas but on
their ability to solve genuine customer problems and create meaningful value.
The workshop highlighted the importance of understanding customer needs, validating market
opportunities, and designing solutions that effectively address identified challenges. Through
practical examples, industry-oriented perspectives, and interactive discussions, participants
gained valuable insights into the process of aligning business ideas with real market demands.
The session encouraged students to adopt a customer-centric and evidence-based approach to
innovation, ensuring that entrepreneurial ventures are both impactful and sustainable.
Workshop Highlights
The workshop was led by Dr. Jitendra Sandu, who explained the significance of identifying
authentic customer pain points before investing resources in product or service development.
The session demonstrated how successful entrepreneurs validate assumptions, understand
market demand, and refine their ideas through continuous customer engagement.
Participants explored concepts such as customer discovery, market validation, value proposition
development, and strategic problem-solving. Through real-world startup examples and
interactive discussions, students learned how businesses can reduce risk by ensuring that their
solutions address genuine market needs.
The workshop also emphasized the role of empathy, research, and data-driven decision-making
in creating innovative products and services that deliver sustainable value to customers and
society.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the workshop, participants were able to:
- Understand the concept and significance of Problem–Solution Fit in entrepreneurship.
- Identify and analyze customer problems using structured approaches.
- Conduct basic market validation to assess the feasibility of business ideas.
- Develop customer-centric solutions aligned with market needs.
- Appreciate the importance of research, customer feedback, and evidence-based
innovation.
- Strengthen strategic thinking and decision-making skills for entrepreneurial ventures.
- Evaluate the viability and sustainability of business ideas before implementation.
- Apply problem-solving frameworks to develop innovative and impactful business
solutions.
Conclusion
The workshop "Achieving Problem–Solution Fit" provided participants with valuable
knowledge and practical insights into one of the most fundamental principles of successful
entrepreneurship. Under the guidance of Dr. Jitendra Sandu, students learned that identifying
the right problem is the first step toward building innovative, customer-focused, and sustainable
business solutions.
The session reinforced the importance of market validation, customer understanding, and
strategic thinking in transforming ideas into viable entrepreneurial ventures. By adopting a
problem-first approach and continuously engaging with customer needs, participants were
encouraged to develop solutions that create lasting value, drive innovation, and contribute to
economic and societal development.