3.2 - Crafting the Statement
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Introduction to Problem Statements
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Today, we're discussing the importance of crafting a clear problem statement. Why do we need to have a well-defined problem when designing solutions?
It helps teams understand what they are solving for, right?
Exactly! A clear problem statement aligns everyone involved. Can anyone tell me what elements should be included?
Context, pain points, impact, and goal?
Exactly! Remember the acronym CPI-G for Context, Pain, Impact, and Goal. It will help you remember the components. Let's dive deeper into each element!
Understanding the 5 Whys Technique
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One effective way to get to the root of a problem is to use the **5 Whys** technique. Who can explain how this works?
You keep asking 'Why?' until you find the core issue?
Correct! For instance, if users are not recording stats, ask 'Why?' until you reach the fundamental cause. Can anyone give me an example?
Maybe they find the form too long?
Exactly! And from there, you can address that specific pain point in your problem statement.
Crafting an Effective Problem Statement
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Now, let's try crafting a problem statement. We need to combine our context, pain point, impact, and goal. Can anyone suggest how we might start?
We could start with context like 'Middle school athletes'?
Great! Now, what's the pain point?
They struggle with the length of the data entry process.
Right! So how would we put that together in a statement?
'Middle school athletes struggle with lengthy stat recording...' then we add the impact and goal.
Good job! Letβs construct something cohesive!
Refinement and Validation
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Once we have our draft problem statement, how can we ensure it accurately reflects user needs?
We could do a peer review?
Exactly! Peer review helps refine our statements. Should we check if it aligns with the insights we gathered from user research?
Yes! Making sure it addresses core needs is crucial.
Perfect! That balance is essential for crafting an effective statement.
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
In this section, we learn to craft concise problem statements that clearly outline the context of a user issue, the associated pain points, their impacts, and the desired goals. This structured approach is crucial for guiding design and development efforts.
Detailed
Crafting the Statement
Creating a clear problem statement is essential in user research as it helps align teams and directs solution ideation. In this section, we first learn to identify symptoms and drill down to the root causes using techniques such as the 5 Whys. Hereβs how to formulate a problem statement:
1. Context: Define who is affected by the problem (e.g., βMiddle school athletesβ).
2. Pain Point: Describe the specific issue they face (e.g., βstruggle with lengthy, multi-step stat recordingβ).
3. Impact: Explain the consequences of this issue (e.g., βresulting in inconsistent data and missed performance insightsβ).
4. Goal: Specify what the objective is (e.g., βto design a one-step recording interfaceβ).
An example of a crafted problem statement might be: βMiddle school athletes currently struggle with lengthy, multi-step stat recording, resulting in inconsistent data and missed performance insights. We aim to design a one-step recording interface to boost recording frequency by 40% within one month.β
This structured approach not only sharpens the teamβs understanding but greatly enhances the effectiveness of the resultant design solutions.
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Components of a Problem Statement
Chapter 1 of 2
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Chapter Content
Combine context, pain point, impact, and goal:
Detailed Explanation
A problem statement is essential for focusing the efforts of a team toward solving a specific issue. In the crafting process, it is important to include four key components:
1. Context: Who are the users involved?
2. Pain Point: What specific challenge or issue do they face?
3. Impact: What are the consequences of this pain point?
4. Goal: What is the desired outcome or solution we aim to achieve?
Examples & Analogies
Consider a school where students are having trouble keeping track of their homework. The context could be 'high school students' (who), the pain point is 'forgetting assignments' (what), the impact might be 'leading to low grades' (consequences), and the goal could be 'to develop a reminder app that helps students track assignments better' (solution).
Full Problem Statement Example
Chapter 2 of 2
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Chapter Content
"Middle school athletes (context) currently struggle with lengthy, multiβstep stat recording (pain), resulting in inconsistent data and missed performance insights (impact). We aim to design a oneβstep recording interface (goal) to boost recording frequency by 40% within one month."
Detailed Explanation
Hereβs a complete example illustrating how to construct a problem statement effectively. The example breaks down as follows: the context identifies middle school athletes, highlighting who is affected. The pain statement pinpoints the issue: the current lengthy process for recording statistics. The impact identifies a significant consequence of this painβthe inconsistency of recorded data and loss of valuable performance insights. Finally, the goal articulates a clear, actionable aim: to create a simpler one-step interface to improve recording rates significantly.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine youβre developing a new fitness application for athletes. Instead of simply saying 'athletes struggle with stats', the problem statement allows you to clearly identify not just the issue, but also who it affects, why it matters, and what solution you plan to implement, which is similar to a coach understanding both a playerβs weaknesses and how to enhance their skills through practice.
Key Concepts
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Problem Statement: A formal description of an issue that needs to be addressed.
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5 Whys Technique: A method for uncovering the root cause of a problem by repeatedly asking why.
Examples & Applications
Example of a problem statement: 'Middle school athletes struggle with lengthy, multi-step stat recording, leading to inconsistent data. We aim to design a simpler solution to enhance data entry.'
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
Crafting your statement is no crime, just focus on context, pain, and aim!
Stories
Imagine a coach witnessing players struggle with forms. She realizes that solving this will make training smootherβleading to better performance and happiness.
Memory Tools
To remember the steps of crafting a problem statement: CPI-G. C for Context, P for Pain, I for Impact, G for Goal.
Acronyms
CPI-G
Context
Pain Point
Impact
Goal.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Context
The background information regarding who is affected by a problem.
- Pain Point
The specific issue or challenge faced by users.
- Impact
The consequences of the pain point that affect the users or processes.
- Goal
The desired outcome or solution intended to address the pain point.
- 5 Whys
A problem-solving technique involving asking 'Why?' multiple times to identify the root cause of an issue.
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