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The Madison Avenue Field GuideA field guide to marketing & advertising, by Brandon Mina

GlossaryStrategy & FrameworksJobs to Be Done (JTBD)

Strategy & Frameworks

Jobs to Be Done (JTBD)

The theory, popularized by Clayton Christensen, that customers 'hire' products to make progress on a specific job in their lives.

By Brandon MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated November 2026

Short answer

Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) is a theory, popularized by Clayton Christensen, holding that customers hire products to make progress on a specific job in their lives. It shifts focus from demographics and features to the underlying goal and circumstances. Marketers and product teams use it to uncover unmet needs, real competitors and stronger positioning.