An opportunity solution tree (OST) is a visual framework from Teresa Torres that maps the path from a business outcome to the customer problems that could get you there, and then to the solutions and experiments you're running. It's a literal tree structure, not a metaphor.
The root is your desired outcome. The branches are opportunities, unmet customer needs or pain points. Below each opportunity are potential solutions. At the leaves are the experiments you're running to validate those solutions.
Why it helps
Without a structure like this, product teams tend to jump straight from "business goal" to "build this feature." The OST keeps you in problem space longer. Before deciding what to build, you have to name the opportunity you're addressing.
It also makes your thinking visible. Stakeholders can see why you're working on what you're working on, not just what's on the roadmap.
How it connects to continuous discovery
The OST isn't a one-time artifact. You update it as you learn. When a customer interview surfaces a new opportunity, you add a branch. When an experiment fails, you remove or deprioritize a solution.
Teresa Torres introduced the OST as part of her continuous discovery framework. The tree is where your discoveries land, keeping research and roadmap decisions connected rather than siloed.