Problem Statement Framework
Create clear, actionable problem statements that align teams and drive focused solutions.
Actions
Tags
Prompt
Help me create a clear, well-structured problem statement. Use this framework:
Context:
- Current situation: [What is happening today? What's the status quo?]
- Problem or opportunity: [What issue needs addressing? What opportunity exists?]
- Why now: [Why is this important to solve now? What's the urgency or trigger?]
Who is affected:
- Primary users/stakeholders: [Who experiences this problem directly?]
- Secondary impact: [Who else is affected indirectly?]
- Scale: [How many people/teams/customers are impacted?]
The need:
- What they need: [What would solve their problem or unlock the opportunity?]
- Current workarounds: [How do they cope today? What are the costs?]
- Desired outcome: [What does "better" look like for them?]
Evidence:
- Data: [What metrics, research, or feedback support this problem?]
- Insights: [What have we learned that makes this the right problem to solve?]
- Assumptions: [What are we assuming to be true? What needs validation?]
Success criteria:
- Goals: [What would success look like? Be specific.]
- Metrics: [How will we measure whether we've solved it?]
- Timeline: [When do we need to see results?]
Please format the output as:
1. Problem Statement (1-2 sentences)
A concise statement following the structure:
"[Who] needs [what] because [why]. Currently [status quo], which results in [impact]."
2. Context & Background (2-3 paragraphs)
Explain the situation, why it matters, and what we know.
3. Success Metrics
Specific, measurable outcomes that indicate the problem is solved.
4. Constraints & Assumptions
What we're working within and what we're assuming to be true.
5. What's Out of Scope
Clarify boundaries to keep the problem focused.How to use
- 1Fill in the framework: Replace placeholders with your specific context, users, needs, and goals
- 2Add evidence: Include data, research findings, customer feedback, or business metrics
- 3Specify constraints: Mention technical, business, timeline, or resource limitations
- 4Paste into your AI tool and review the generated problem statement
- 5Refine: Ask "Make it more specific" or "Strengthen the evidence" or "Clarify scope"
- 6Validate: Share with stakeholders to confirm alignment on the problem
Pro Tips
- • Focus on one problem at a time - split complex issues into separate statements
- • Start with the user/customer problem, not the solution you want to build
- • Be specific about who is affected and how many
- • Include evidence - problems without data are just opinions
- • Define what's out of scope to prevent scope creep
- • Revisit and refine as you learn more
Related Prompts
Project Shareout Template
Create presentation templates for sharing project outcomes, research findings, or initiative results.
SMART Goal Creator
Turn a vague objective into clear goals using the SMART framework: Specific (clear outcome and scope), Measurable (metrics or observable signals), Achievable (realistic given constraints), Relevant (aligned to user or business value), and Time-bound (deadline or milestones). Includes success criteria and checkpoints.
Project Tenets Creation
Define a small set of durable project tenets: principles that guide tradeoffs, scope, and quality bars.
Stakeholder Mapping Template
Map stakeholders, their interests, and engagement strategies for cross-functional projects.
New prompts & templates by email
Weekly copy-paste prompts, pattern notes, and AI UX resources on Substack - no spam, unsubscribe anytime.