Design thinking is a human-centered approach to problem-solving that emphasizes understanding the user’s needs and creating solutions that meet those needs. A key step in the design thinking process is defining the problem statement, which clearly articulates the problem that the team is trying to solve.
A well-crafted problem statement should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). It should also be written in a way that is easy to understand by everyone on the team. To help teams define their problem statements, various problem statement templates have been developed.
The 5Ws Problem Statement Template
The 5Ws problem statement template is a simple and effective way to define a problem. It asks the following five questions:
- Who is affected by the problem?
- What is the problem?
- Where does the problem occur?
- When does the problem occur?
- Why does the problem occur?
By answering these questions, teams can gain a deep understanding of the problem and begin to develop solutions that address the root causes of the problem.
The Impact-Problem-Solution Template
The impact-problem-solution template is a more structured way to define a problem. It asks teams to first identify the impact of the problem, then the problem itself, and finally the desired solution.
- What is the impact of the problem?
- What is the problem?
- What is the desired solution?
This template helps teams to focus on the big picture and to develop solutions that will have a meaningful impact on the user.
The How Might We Template
The how might we template is a more open-ended way to define a problem. It asks teams to generate a list of questions that begin with the phrase “How might we…” These questions can help teams to explore the problem from different perspectives and to generate creative solutions.
- How might we improve the user experience?
- How might we make the product more affordable?
- How might we reduce the environmental impact of the product?
No matter which problem statement template you choose to use, the most important thing is to be clear and concise. The problem statement should be easy to understand and should provide a solid foundation for developing solutions.
Problem statement template design thinking is a valuable tool that can help teams to define problems and develop solutions that meet the needs of users. By using a problem statement template, teams can ensure that their solutions are focused on the right problem and that they have a clear path to success.
