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Problem Statement Development Guide

This document provides a guideline for understanding problems to be solved. It includes sections to [1] identify and define the problem through descriptive details, [2] research existing solutions and their limitations, and [3] ideate potential minimum viable products (MVPs) to address the problem. Users are described through attributes like age, location, routines, and technology use to understand how the problem impacts them. Triggers, consequences, and root causes of the problem are explored. Competitors are researched and issues with current offerings identified to knowledge gaps. Initial MVP ideas are drafted with features and sketches. Peer feedback is gathered to validate problem identification.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
82 views5 pages

Problem Statement Development Guide

This document provides a guideline for understanding problems to be solved. It includes sections to [1] identify and define the problem through descriptive details, [2] research existing solutions and their limitations, and [3] ideate potential minimum viable products (MVPs) to address the problem. Users are described through attributes like age, location, routines, and technology use to understand how the problem impacts them. Triggers, consequences, and root causes of the problem are explored. Competitors are researched and issues with current offerings identified to knowledge gaps. Initial MVP ideas are drafted with features and sketches. Peer feedback is gathered to validate problem identification.

Uploaded by

DK
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Problem Statement Worksheet

This worksheet provides a guideline to better understand the problems you want to solve.
Please use as many descriptive adjectives as possible. This will help grasp the essence of the
problem better.

Identify and Define

1. What is the problem?


(Explain your problem in one sentence)

2. Why does this problem matter?


(Why does this problem matter to you? What have your observations been? Share
your thought process here)

3. Who does the problem impact? Who is the end user?


(describe the people/audience who will be impacted. Age, location, occupation, income,
routine, habits, interests, likes, dislikes, aspirations, etc.)
User 1
Age -
Country -
City / town -
Urban / Semi- urban / rural -
Occupation -
Daily routine -
Wants and Needs -
Technology proficiency high / medium / low -
Habits -

User 2
Age -
Country -
City / town -
Urban / Semi- urban / rural -
Occupation -
Daily routine -
Wants and Needs -
Technology proficiency high / medium / low -
Habits -
Add more users if there are any for your problem.

4. Why does this problem exist?


(What is the cause for this problem to exist? Geographical, political, man
power, economical, human behaviour, human resource, etc)

5. How does this problem impact the end user?


(Explain the depth of the impact. Is it financial? Emotional? Functional? etc.)
Financial impact -
Functional impact -
Emotional impact -
Any other impact -

6. Where does this problem occur?


(At home? At work? In the kitchen? On the road? In Mumbai? What is the geography? )
Geographical location City / Town / Village -

7. When does this problem occur?


(What time? What hour? What day? What month? etc.)
Which time of the year / season -
Which Month -
Which week -
Which day -
What time of the day -

8. What is the trigger event before the problem occurs?

9. What will happen if this problem is not solved?


(Think ahead. What is the consequence of the problem?)
Impact on user -
Impact on his/her family -
Impact on community -
Impact on country -
Impact on world -

Research and Verify

10. Are there existing solutions to this problem? If yes, describe each of them.
(Do research. Google it. Ask around. Make a list of existing solutions and describe
each one in detail - What is the name? What is their exact function? Where are their
services located? Who uses them? When do people use this existing solution?)
Competitor 1
Name -
Location -
Main service / function -
End user -
Features -
Plus points -
Negative points -
Competitor 2
Name -
Location -
Main service / function -
End user -
Features -
Plus points -
Negative points -
Add if there are more competitors

11. What are the problems with each of the existing solutions?
(Find out the glitches and problems. Google it. Check out case studies. Talk to
people. Do a SWOT analysis - [Link]
12. If there is no existing solution, why do you think that is so?
(Dig deeper to understand what are the struggles in practically solving this problem)

Ideation
13. What are your MVP solutions?
(Describe in one sentence)

Idea 1 -
Feature 1 -
Feature 2 -
Features 3 -
Feature 4 -
Feature 5 -
Rough Sketch -

Idea 2 -
Feature 1 -
Feature 2 -
Features 3 -
Feature 4 -
Feature 5 -
Rough Sketch -

Add if there are more.

14. How many of your cohort mates agree or identify with your problem?
(Find out the opinions of your cohort mates to the problem. Why do they agree
/ disagree? What new thoughts do they have about the problem?)

Common questions

Powered by AI

To gauge agreement among a cohort, surveys or structured interviews can be conducted to collect opinions and insights. This methodology is significant as it provides diverse perspectives, helps validate the problem, and identifies commonalties that can inform solution development .

Anticipating consequences for the user and broader community is crucial as it highlights the urgency of addressing the problem and aids in prioritizing resources. Understanding potential negative outcomes—emotional, financial, or societal—justifies intervention and guides strategic planning to prevent detrimental impacts .

Describing end users' characteristics, such as age, location, occupation, routine, income, and technology proficiency, is crucial to understanding who will be impacted by the problem and tailoring solutions to meet their specific needs . It helps to grasp the essence of the problem and ensures that potential solutions are applicable to those affected.

Understanding the trigger events before a problem occurs can help in devising preemptive strategies that either prevent the problem from arising or mitigate its impact. Knowing the specific circumstances that lead to a problem allows one to address root causes directly, thus making solutions more effective .

End user characteristics such as age, occupational needs, and technological proficiency influence MVP design features by dictating usability, interface complexity, and functionality. By aligning design features with user traits, solutions become more accessible and relevant, improving user experience and adoption .

Factors contributing to a problem can be geographical, political, manpower-related, economical, or behavioral . These factors establish the background that allows the problem to exist. In contrast, the impacts on the end user may be financial, emotional, or functional, providing a direct experience of how the problem affects individuals' lives .

The geography and timing of a problem provide insights into environmental or seasonal factors that may influence its occurrence. This relationship can reveal patterns that help predict when and where the problem is likely to arise, allowing for the allocation of resources or the design of solutions at specific times and locations to maximize their effectiveness .

Using descriptive adjectives helps clarify the essence of the problem by providing rich details that facilitate a more comprehensive understanding. This enhances communication, ensuring that stakeholders have a shared and vivid perception of the problem's nature, which is crucial for developing effective solutions .

Common problems with existing solutions might include inefficiencies, high costs, or inadequate features for the target audience . A SWOT analysis can identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, which informs new ideas by highlighting areas of improvement and untapped potential, helping to create superior solutions .

The absence of existing solutions indicates a gap in the market and an opportunity for innovation. It challenges ideators to consider the struggles in practically solving the problem and encourages the development of Minimum Viable Product (MVP) solutions that address unmet needs, potentially offering novel features that current solutions do not .

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