Define the Problem
1 Corinthians 14:33
“Since God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”
YAH values order and clarity. As entrepreneurs, we should strive to clearly understand a problem before attempting to solve it.
What Does It Mean to Define a Problem?
Last week, you practiced empathy by interviewing people and learning about the challenges they experience. You discovered that people have different needs, frustrations, and problems.
This week, we are going to take what you learned and turn it into a clear problem statement.
Imagine someone tells you:
"My mornings are always stressful!"
That statement tells us something is wrong, but it does not explain exactly what the problem is.
Why are their mornings stressful? Are they waking up late? Losing their belongings? Forgetting breakfast?
An entrepreneur asks questions to discover the real issue.
A problem statement is a short, clear explanation of who has a problem, what the problem is, and why it matters.
The clearer you understand the problem, the easier it becomes to develop a useful solution.
1. The Difference Between a Problem and a Solution
Entrepreneurs sometimes get so excited about their ideas that they start creating products before understanding whether anyone actually needs them.
Let's look at an example.
Starting with a solution
"We should create an app that reminds students about homework!"
Starting with a problem
"Students sometimes forget homework assignments because they have trouble keeping track of deadlines."
Notice the difference?
The first statement assumes that an app is the answer. But what if students don't want another app? What if they would prefer a planner, calendar, or reminder from their teacher?
The second statement gives us room to explore different solutions.
Remember: Fall in love with solving the problem, not with your first idea.
2. How to Write a Problem Statement
A strong problem statement answers three important questions.
WHO has the problem?
Identify the specific people experiencing the difficulty.
Example: Homeschool students who attend multiple co-ops.
WHAT is the problem?
Explain the specific challenge they face.
Example: They have difficulty keeping track of assignments from different classes.
WHY does it matter?
Explain how the problem affects their lives.
Example: They miss deadlines and feel overwhelmed.
Put it all together!
Use this simple formula:
[WHO] needs a way to [WHAT] because [WHY].
Example:
"Homeschool students who attend multiple co-ops need a way to organize their assignments because keeping track of different deadlines can be overwhelming."
Now we have a problem worth investigating!
3. What Does "How Might We..." Mean?
Once you understand the problem, you can turn it into a question that encourages creative thinking.
Entrepreneurs often use a technique called a How Might We (HMW) statement.
These questions help us explore possibilities without deciding on a solution too early.
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How: Encourages us to explore possible approaches.
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Might: Reminds us that there could be many different solutions.
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We: Encourages teamwork and collaboration.
Problem statement:
"Students forget to bring their school supplies because they have difficulty remembering what they need for each class."
How Might We question:
"How might we help students remember the supplies they need for each class?"
Notice that the question does not tell us what to create.
Your team could eventually develop a checklist, an organizer, a reminder system, or something completely different!
More examples
|
Problem |
How Might We question |
|---|---|
|
Students lose water bottles. |
How might we help students keep track of their water bottles? |
|
Parents struggle to find affordable school supplies. |
How might we make school supplies more affordable for families? |
|
Students feel nervous meeting new classmates. |
How might we help new students feel more comfortable? |
Class Activity
The "How Might We" Challenge
Your team's mission
Team discussion questions
Before finalizing your statement, discuss these questions with your teammates:
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Did someone actually tell us they experience this problem?
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Is our problem specific enough to understand?
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Are we describing the problem instead of jumping to a solution?
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Why would someone want this problem solved?
Each team will have one minute to present its problem statement and favorite How Might We question.
Practice: Can You Identify the Problem?
Printout
Homework
Turn Complaints Into Opportunities
Your Mission: Entrepreneurs recognize that complaints can reveal problems worth solving.
Think of three common complaints you hear at home, school, or in your community.
For each complaint:
- Write down the complaint.
- Identify the real problem behind it.
- Turn the problem into a How Might We question.
Example:
Complaint: "I never have enough time to finish my homework!"
Problem: Students struggle to manage their time between schoolwork and other activities.
How Might We: "How might we help students manage their time more effectively?"
Submit in Google Classroom: Three complaints, three identified problems, and three How Might We questions.