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At the time of writing this post this simple 3 step Problem Statement Template published in October 2008 has now been downloaded over 20,000 times.

It’s been used by students looking for an example of a Problem Statement for their studies. It’s been used for simple problem solving, and for big questions like:

• effects of minimum wage on the employment.
• NGOs, government, bilateral agencies working for rural development in Cambodia.
• comparative analysis of contract marketing and contract farming.

So if you’re struggling with a problem, try downloading this template and see if it helps you too.

Look – I know it’s hard studying, and I’ve struggled with it too. It might be worth taking a look at this study aid and see what you think, it’s helped other students.

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In my last post a suggested some ways to innovate in a down economy. Two suggestions I made was to Observe and to Collect Ideas, but I should’ve  also added Share.

In that spirit I’d invite you to take a look at the following article which presents 10 actions for better (sustainable) design.

Allan Chochinov, editor-in-chief at Core 77, was a speaker at Compostmodern on Saturday, and presented some great steps for designers. He calls them “Denting an Impossible Design Problem in 10 Sustainable Steps.”

While these are intended to apply to sustainable design I think that they are equally applicable to any project requiring creative thinking. Allan’s steps were:

1. Acknowledge the privilege you have as a designer.
2. Use the word “consequence”.
3. Question authority.
4. Surround yourself with the awesomest people you can.
5. Don’t play fair.
6. Be intentionally dumb.
7. Redistribute – then reduce, reuse, and recycle.
8. Broaden your market.
9. Indulge in discursive design.
10. Talk to anyone who will listen.

For an expanded commentary of the ten steps take a look at the TreeHugger article.

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Brainstorming and coming up with ideas is stimulating and satisfying. The satisfaction comes from finding good workable solutions to problems. Therefore defining the problem clearly upfront can be a real aid to the idea creation and problem solving that follows.

Defining a problem with a Problem Statement is common on academic circles and within TQM and Six Sigma methodologies. For Brainstorming however we need something shorter and simpler.

I’ve had a quick look for a problem statement template specifically for brainstorming. I didn’t find one but did come across some themes that I’ve pulled together into the following process.

The first step is to write down your problem or the current state. Don’t worry too much about quality at this point – simply making a start is significant. Next, expand on your problem by asking the following questions:

• who does it affect / does not affect.
• what does it effect / does not affect.
• how does it effect / does not affect.
• when is it a problem / is not a problem.
• where is it a problem / is not a problem.

Now, re-write your problem statement based on those answers.


The Second step is the same as the first, but focuses on the Desired or Future State.

The Third Step is to combine your revised Problem or Current State and your desired Future State into a single statement. This might take a couple of attempts but stick with it. Finally, review your new problem statement against the following criteria:

• Focused on only one Problem.
• One or two sentences long.
• Does not suggest a Solution.

You should now have a concise and well balanced Problem Statement ready for a brainstorming session. It should be unambiguous and devoid of assumptions. It will enable you or your group to focus in on the problem and work toward solutions that truly fit.

Try it yourself –

Download a Problem Statement workbook by clicking the download icon below:

You might also like to take a look at this study aid which other students have found really helpful.

The following diagram outlines the process:

Here’s some other Problem Solving resources:

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