Template Spotlight: Jobs to be Done

In the world of consulting, understanding your client's needs is paramount. But it's not enough to simply ask, "What do you want?" To truly create solutions that resonate, you need to delve deeper and uncover the underlying motivations, the unspoken desires, the "jobs" your clients are hiring you to do.

That's where the Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) framework comes in. Pioneered by Clayton Christensen and popularised by experts like Jim Kalbach, JTBD goes beyond surface-level wants and focuses on the fundamental "jobs" customers are trying to accomplish. It's a powerful tool for understanding customer behaviour, identifying unmet needs, and developing innovative solutions that truly hit the mark.

One of Contented's most popular templates is the Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) template. This template helps you break down what people in a conversation are trying to achieve. It goes beyond just looking at functional goals (like finishing tasks) and helps you understand social and personal motivations too. It's a straightforward way to get to the heart of what people really want to accomplish - and why it matters to them.

‍

What is a template?

The Contented workspace  is built around three core modules: Meetings, Human-Centred, and Marketing. Within each module, a user can turn recordings of meetings, workshops, or personal musings into valuable outputs using expert-designed templates. Contented is not just a note-taking tool; it’s a full-service platform for turning conversations into meaningful results that our users can act on.

The Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) template is one of several templates available in the Human-Centred module.

‍

What is the Jobs to Be Done Template?

The JTBD template within Contented takes inspiration from Jim Kalbach’s framework, focusing on three critical dimensions: functional, societal, and personal aspects of each task or problem.

After uploading a meeting recording or an interview transcript into Contented, the JTBD template allows users to generate insights around a participant within the conversation.

With just a few clicks, Contented transforms these insights into a structured framework that captures what the participant is trying to achieve and why it matters, both from a functional and emotional perspective.

‍

How Does It Work?

1. Upload a conversation directly into the Contented workspace. Whether it’s a strategy meeting, user interview, or client consultation.

2. In the Human-Centred module, users then specify who the participant is, the project details, and any additional instructions needed for refining the insights.
‍

‍

3. Select the Jobs to Be Done template to analyse the meeting or conversation.

4. With a single click, Contented  analyses the conversation and generates a comprehensive JTBD framework, highlighting the functional, societal, and personal aspects of the participant's needs.

‍

Real World Application

Imagine you're a marketing consultant working with a new client. You've had a great initial meeting, but you want to go beyond surface-level goals and truly understand what they're trying to achieve. Contented's JTBD template can help you:

Identify the client's core "job": Is it to increase brand awareness, generate leads, or drive sales?

Uncover their societal motivations: Are they trying to position themselves as a thought leader, build a strong community, or make a positive social impact?

Understand their personal aspirations: Are they driven by a desire for growth, recognition, or a sense of purpose?

By understanding the full spectrum of the client's "job," you can develop a marketing strategy that not only meets their business objectives but also aligns with their values and aspirations.

‍

Want to give Contented a try? We're offering a limited free trial for the next month. You'll have access to our Jobs to be Done template, so you can see how it works for you.