October 13, 2008 

• by Steve Swann
• in Doing, Thinking, Tools & Resources
• Comments ( 86 )

writing a problem statement

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:

Related Posts:

• Problem Statement Template downloaded 20000 times.
• tools for getting your ideas in order
• the Perfect Brainstorm?

Tags: brainstorming, problem statement, toolbox

86 comments on “writing a problem statement”

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3. alex on December 2, 2008 at 4:24 pm said:

   With this solution you may not be able to determine if you are dealing with a root cause or just a symptom. Understanding the underlying process involved in obtaining the desired result would allow one to identify the factors that lead to the desired result. This can allow the Pareto Principal to be applied to address the most important factors that lead to the desired result.
   The odds are very good that examining these key factors with uncover the root cause of the problem.
4. Kelly Brown on June 12, 2009 at 6:25 pm said:

   Hi, very nice post. I have been wonder’n bout this issue,so thanks for posting
5. JaneRadriges on June 14, 2009 at 12:13 am said:

   The article is ver good. Write please more

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7. GarykPatton on June 16, 2009 at 4:58 am said:

   Hello, can you please post some more information on this topic? I would like to read more.
8. Andrew Sanga on December 22, 2009 at 5:49 am said:

   Hi Andrew – what is it exactly that you’re asking for?

   Hi.
   I have a title I want to write about ,but I failed on writing a Statement Problem can you please help me.

   My tittle.
   Overhead wires transmission in urban landscapes.
   Thanks in Advance
   Andrew
9. Bonny on January 20, 2010 at 10:27 pm said:

   PLEASE SEND ME A PROBLEM STAYEMENT ON OTITIS MEDIA
10. sudha on January 29, 2010 at 4:25 am said:

    Hi, very nice post. I have been wonder’n about writing a problem statement for my research project,so thanks for posting
11. Felistus kaoma on February 18, 2010 at 4:02 am said:

    I want to write a proposal on youths in the community facing unemployment which is leading to poverty. Therefore I would like to know how to write the problem statement. Thanks in advance.
12. Denise Hudson on February 27, 2010 at 2:49 pm said:

    Very helpful suggestions for completing the problem statement in a research proposal.
13. safajmon on March 10, 2010 at 8:52 pm said:

    Hi,
    Thanks a lot. your article will help me to make a good problem statement 4 my research project.

    safaj
14. sylvia on March 26, 2010 at 2:27 am said:

    They are good ideas but ihave failed to state aproblem in my topic.help me out pliz.
15. sylvia on March 26, 2010 at 2:31 am said:

    assesment of activity levels of the elderly in physical activity.help me out pliz.
16. mauaondetsa on April 14, 2010 at 8:06 pm said:

    i am witting a project proposal on the comparative analysis of contract marketing and contract farming but coming up with a problem statement is giving me a headache
17. lweendo kahoota on April 14, 2010 at 11:29 pm said:

    hi,i want to write a problem statement about internet cafe on how they operate
18. sali on May 5, 2010 at 1:49 pm said:

    hello, i have dificulties doing problem stament, even i use your meathod. can give more easier meathod.
19. Kimsreng Sok on June 9, 2010 at 3:32 am said:

    We need the problem statement writting paper
20. NICO on July 14, 2010 at 4:14 pm said:

    HI, CAN YOU GIVE AN EXAMPLE TO THAT DIAGRAM?PLS. THANK U
21. as on July 18, 2010 at 7:35 am said:

    It took me a while to get to discover this website.

    An excellent summary of writing a problem statement that is crisp, easy to decipher and meets the academic requirement for a advanced degree research paper.

    I have seen it just in time for writing my final paper where “problem statement” is a requirement.

    Keep up the good work of sharing!

    Ashok
    Va Beach
22. manjiri on July 29, 2010 at 6:13 am said:

    I’m confuse in writing a problem statement for my project…
    The subject is Mobile Surveillance System.
    plz help me …

    Thanx in advance
23. Bukie on August 7, 2010 at 9:40 pm said:

    Pls i need ur help in writing the statement of problem on pressure ulcer.thanks
24. william on September 13, 2010 at 9:06 pm said:

    Cgnitive development in chilldren .pliz help me with problem statement. thanks
25. patience on September 14, 2010 at 10:05 am said:

    thanks, your step to step approach to the issue of stetement of problem is helpful
26. Sophoeun on September 21, 2010 at 7:38 pm said:

    Different approaches of NGOs, government, bilateral agencies working for rural development in Cambodia. I need about the problem statement, objective and contents. Thank you so much and I hope to hear from you soon.
27. jasvir on October 1, 2010 at 12:30 am said:

    plz snd me some problems related to community health nursing
28. mariah on October 24, 2010 at 1:44 am said:

    please send mi an example of a problem statements on the topic effects of minimum wage on the employment
29. Team Roster on October 30, 2010 at 9:03 pm said:

    Maybe you could change the blog name 3 steps to writing a great problem statement | thinkinghow.com to more suited for your subject you create. I enjoyed the blog post nevertheless.
30. Shawana Wauer on October 31, 2010 at 9:45 am said:

    Hello, I am sorry for being off but what theme is installed on this blog? or did you make it yourself? I really like the theme .

    http://www.quickonlinetips.com/archives/quickpress/
31. Muaji on November 14, 2010 at 10:18 pm said:

    thanks, i can now proceed comfortably with my term paper
32. Seth Haake on November 21, 2010 at 10:23 am said:

    Took me time to examine all of the comments, but I truly enjoyed the guide. It proved to become really helpful to me and that i am certain to the many commenters right here! It is generally wonderful once you can not only be informed, but additionally entertained! Cheers!
33. Emmanuel K. Acquah on November 26, 2010 at 9:04 pm said:

    problem statement on an electric charge invertor.
34. kaelar on December 12, 2010 at 4:52 am said:

    can you give me some statement of the problem relating to group cohesiveness and performance of the organization….
35. etagegn on January 13, 2011 at 7:17 am said:

    i need to write a statement of problem on my project but i cant start steel plz help me
36. Dixon on January 17, 2011 at 2:04 am said:

    Its very difficult to write a statement of problem in marxist materialism.Could you send something about it?
37. Ife on January 28, 2011 at 2:58 am said:

    Pls help me with the statement of problems for a topic: THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF TOURIST CENTRES
38. hassan on January 29, 2011 at 1:03 am said:

    hi,pls help me with a problem statement on gender and crisis:implication for agriculture.
    remain blessed.
39. Samuel Frazer on January 29, 2011 at 5:28 pm said:

    This article is splendid and unique. I was finding it very imponderable to write a promblem statement for proposals but now I think the problem is now solve by you.

    Thank you
    Keep the good work
40. Venice Havercroft on January 31, 2011 at 9:24 am said:

    Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author.I will make sure to bookmark your blog and will come back in the future. I want to encourage you continue your great job, have a nice holiday weekend!
41. cathie on February 8, 2011 at 9:34 pm said:

    thanks for the articles please send more for learners like me because we also want to be experts inorder to help and teach others
42. jb on February 9, 2011 at 8:12 pm said:

    hi
    i need a problem statement for a proposal titled”vaibillity of mobile virtual network operators in uganda”
    thanks
43. busie on February 21, 2011 at 12:15 am said:

    helpful suggestions on outlining a problem statement.good
44. allan k on February 24, 2011 at 8:54 pm said:

    hi,
    would you please get me a problem statement for a project tittled “factors affecting infant feeding by HIV/AIDS infected mothers in Uganda.
    or factors affecting waste management.
45. ELIAFOO on March 9, 2011 at 12:59 am said:

    PLEASE HELP ME WRITE STATEMENT ON THE TOPIC:POVERTY AND INEQUALITIES IN RURAL HOUSEHOLD
46. christian on March 22, 2011 at 10:22 pm said:

    statement of problem on this topic ;north and south korea relationship and global security
47. Abdulkadir Danmaigoro on March 28, 2011 at 3:55 am said:

    Problem statement on the Topic: Comparative Analysis of Information and Communication Technology (ICTs) use by Agricultural Researchers and Extension worker in Sokoto State, Nigeria.

    Please i need it now ………..
48. hanimaj on March 30, 2011 at 5:27 am said:

    Great! thanks for this post, it’s a real big help for Our thesis.
49. Gbadamosi rasaq on April 5, 2011 at 4:04 am said:

    The effect of incentives on organizational productivity in nigerian bottling company plc
50. shikur geta on April 20, 2011 at 3:21 am said:

    THANKS!YOU ARE OUR SECOND TEACHER IN ETHIOPIA.KNOW I CAN WRITE MY THESIS.