October 13, 2008 

writing a problem statement

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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 this link: Download Writing a Problem Statement - Workbook Version 1.0

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:



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80 Responses to “writing a problem statement”

  1. alex December 2, 2008 at 4:24 pm #

    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.

  2. Kelly Brown June 12, 2009 at 6:25 pm #

    Hi, very nice post. I have been wonder’n bout this issue,so thanks for posting

  3. JaneRadriges June 14, 2009 at 12:13 am #

    The article is ver good. Write please more

  4. GarykPatton June 16, 2009 at 4:58 am #

    Hello, can you please post some more information on this topic? I would like to read more.

  5. Andrew Sanga December 22, 2009 at 5:49 am #

    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

  6. Bonny January 20, 2010 at 10:27 pm #

    PLEASE SEND ME A PROBLEM STAYEMENT ON OTITIS MEDIA

  7. sudha January 29, 2010 at 4:25 am #

    Hi, very nice post. I have been wonder’n about writing a problem statement for my research project,so thanks for posting

  8. Felistus kaoma February 18, 2010 at 4:02 am #

    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.

  9. Denise Hudson February 27, 2010 at 2:49 pm #

    Very helpful suggestions for completing the problem statement in a research proposal.

  10. safajmon March 10, 2010 at 8:52 pm #

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

    safaj

  11. sylvia March 26, 2010 at 2:27 am #

    They are good ideas but ihave failed to state aproblem in my topic.help me out pliz.

  12. sylvia March 26, 2010 at 2:31 am #

    assesment of activity levels of the elderly in physical activity.help me out pliz.

  13. mauaondetsa April 14, 2010 at 8:06 pm #

    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

  14. lweendo kahoota April 14, 2010 at 11:29 pm #

    hi,i want to write a problem statement about internet cafe on how they operate

  15. sali May 5, 2010 at 1:49 pm #

    hello, i have dificulties doing problem stament, even i use your meathod. can give more easier meathod.

  16. Kimsreng Sok June 9, 2010 at 3:32 am #

    We need the problem statement writting paper

  17. NICO July 14, 2010 at 4:14 pm #

    HI, CAN YOU GIVE AN EXAMPLE TO THAT DIAGRAM?PLS. THANK U

  18. as July 18, 2010 at 7:35 am #

    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

  19. manjiri July 29, 2010 at 6:13 am #

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

    Thanx in advance

  20. Bukie August 7, 2010 at 9:40 pm #

    Pls i need ur help in writing the statement of problem on pressure ulcer.thanks

  21. william September 13, 2010 at 9:06 pm #

    Cgnitive development in chilldren .pliz help me with problem statement. thanks

  22. patience September 14, 2010 at 10:05 am #

    thanks, your step to step approach to the issue of stetement of problem is helpful

  23. Sophoeun September 21, 2010 at 7:38 pm #

    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.

  24. jasvir October 1, 2010 at 12:30 am #

    plz snd me some problems related to community health nursing

  25. mariah October 24, 2010 at 1:44 am #

    please send mi an example of a problem statements on the topic effects of minimum wage on the employment

  26. Team Roster October 30, 2010 at 9:03 pm #

    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.

  27. Shawana Wauer October 31, 2010 at 9:45 am #

    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/

  28. Muaji November 14, 2010 at 10:18 pm #

    thanks, i can now proceed comfortably with my term paper

  29. Seth Haake November 21, 2010 at 10:23 am #

    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!

  30. Emmanuel K. Acquah November 26, 2010 at 9:04 pm #

    problem statement on an electric charge invertor.

  31. kaelar December 12, 2010 at 4:52 am #

    can you give me some statement of the problem relating to group cohesiveness and performance of the organization….

  32. etagegn January 13, 2011 at 7:17 am #

    i need to write a statement of problem on my project but i cant start steel plz help me

  33. Dixon January 17, 2011 at 2:04 am #

    Its very difficult to write a statement of problem in marxist materialism.Could you send something about it?

  34. Ife January 28, 2011 at 2:58 am #

    Pls help me with the statement of problems for a topic: THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF TOURIST CENTRES

  35. hassan January 29, 2011 at 1:03 am #

    hi,pls help me with a problem statement on gender and crisis:implication for agriculture.
    remain blessed.

  36. Samuel Frazer January 29, 2011 at 5:28 pm #

    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

  37. Venice Havercroft January 31, 2011 at 9:24 am #

    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!

  38. cathie February 8, 2011 at 9:34 pm #

    thanks for the articles please send more for learners like me because we also want to be experts inorder to help and teach others

  39. jb February 9, 2011 at 8:12 pm #

    hi
    i need a problem statement for a proposal titled”vaibillity of mobile virtual network operators in uganda”
    thanks

  40. busie February 21, 2011 at 12:15 am #

    helpful suggestions on outlining a problem statement.good

  41. allan k February 24, 2011 at 8:54 pm #

    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.

  42. ELIAFOO March 9, 2011 at 12:59 am #

    PLEASE HELP ME WRITE STATEMENT ON THE TOPIC:POVERTY AND INEQUALITIES IN RURAL HOUSEHOLD

  43. christian March 22, 2011 at 10:22 pm #

    statement of problem on this topic ;north and south korea relationship and global security

  44. Abdulkadir Danmaigoro March 28, 2011 at 3:55 am #

    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 ………..

  45. hanimaj March 30, 2011 at 5:27 am #

    Great! thanks for this post, it’s a real big help for Our thesis.

  46. Gbadamosi rasaq April 5, 2011 at 4:04 am #

    The effect of incentives on organizational productivity in nigerian bottling company plc

  47. shikur geta April 20, 2011 at 3:21 am #

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

  48. Md. Nurul Islam Siddque Lablu April 22, 2011 at 3:05 pm #

    I was thinking how I would write my problem statement if I am required at my MPhil enrollment test. Then I googled and found it. It is a blessing that we have internet; by the grace of it, we get generous help from persons like you. Thanks.

  49. John April 22, 2011 at 6:48 pm #

    Steve. Good stuff and very useful. Thanks.

    Perhaps I can repay in some small way. Check the ‘affect’ vs ‘effect’ spelling in the First Step section. Yeah, I know, picky and small minded, but some people focus on those details.

  50. Gigi April 23, 2011 at 6:02 am #

    totally helping me with my research project

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