Problem Definition Template

Problem Statement

Current Situation: [Describe the current state or situation]

Desired Outcome: [Describe the ideal state or outcome you want to achieve]

Gap Analysis: [Identify the gap between current and desired states]

Impact of the Problem: [Describe who is affected and how]

Problem Context

Background Information: [Provide relevant history or context]

Previous Attempts to Solve: [List any previous approaches and their results]

Constraints and Limitations: [Identify any boundaries or restrictions that solutions must work within]

Available Resources: [List resources, skills, or assets available for solving this problem]

Stakeholder Analysis

Problem Framing

Initial Framing: [Write your initial problem statement]

Alternative Framings: [Reframe the problem in at least two different ways]

Selected Problem Frame: [Choose the most promising framing and explain why]

Assumption Identification

Explicit Assumptions: [List assumptions that have been openly stated]

Implicit Assumptions: [List assumptions that may be unstated but influencing thinking]

Assumptions to Challenge: [Identify which assumptions might be worth questioning]

Success Criteria

How will we know the problem is solved? [List specific, measurable indicators of success]

Minimum Success Requirements: [What’s the minimum acceptable outcome?]

Optimal Success Scenario: [What would an ideal solution achieve?]

Next Steps

Information Gathering Needed: [Identify what additional information is required]

Key Questions to Answer: [List critical questions that need addressing]

Initial Approach: [Outline the first steps in addressing this problem]

Remember: A well-defined problem is halfway solved. Take time to thoroughly complete this template before rushing to solutions.