Formulate a Problem Statement
Transform the research findings into questions for ideation
A Problem Statement formed as a “How Might We” question helps to transform challenges into opportunities, setting the stage for creative brainstorming in the Design Phase. By creating ‘How Might We’ questions based on research findings, you’ll focus your ideas on the user needs and motivations.
GOAL
Problem Statements help focus the problem into a statement of opportunity.
PARTICIPANTS
Designers, Business Leads
TIME NEEDED
15 - 30 Minutes
PHASE
Discover
Before You Start
- User Experience Journey Map
- You can understand current challenges and motivations for the user over time to derive insights about the use case, with the following method:
Materials you will need
Templates for Download
Templates for Virtual Collaboration
(Registration to MURAL is required)
Steps
Creating the problem statements includes several steps. We recommend completing them in one session.
Discuss within the team
- What have you learned about the user and their current journey?
- What was most interesting, inspiring and surprising? Why?
- Articulate the insights, the most important user needs, limitations and conditions of success.
Prior to this exercise, the team must have developed a common understanding about the user as well as the user’s needs, motivations, limitations and/or criteria of success.
Create “How Might We” questions
Start phrasing 3 – 5 “How Might We” questions by formulating the results from Part 1 into questions. These questions are the basis for a first round of idea generation.
See Completed Example
You're Done!
Use the problem statements as basis for the first ideations.