Problem StatementThe purpose of this assignment is to identify an organizational problem to solve within your current workplace or industry and construct a problem statement that can be used as the ba
Writing a Problem Statement
When writing a problem statement, it is important to clearly identify and state the organizational problem that needs to be resolved. To articulate this information clearly, the following pieces can be used as building blocks for the statement.
Original problem or focus question | Restate the initial problem that launched the inquiry process, or rewrite the focus question or one of the clarifying questions as a statement. |
Stakeholders who are most affected by the problem | Identify who is most directly impacted by this problem. Alternately, who would benefit the most if this problem were resolved? |
Type of problem | For example, is the problem based upon skills, attitudes, knowledge, resources, competition, defects, or something else? |
Suspected cause(s) of the problem | Based on the data analysis or the root cause analysis, what does the team think is the most significant cause or causes contributing to this problem? What, if addressed, would make the greatest impact on resolving the problem? Include specific evidence. |
Goal for improvement and long-term impact | Describe the target for impact. The goal should be measurable. |
Impact to stakeholders | Describe possible impacts to stakeholders if the problem is not addressed. |
Proposal for addressing the problem | The proposal is a high-level strategy that represents promising practices drawn from research, local knowledge, and local expertise. Note sources, if possible, when presenting this information. This proposal will become the basis for subsequent action planning. |
Final problem statement | Tie the above statements into three to five coherent sentences that could be easily understood by a wide range of stakeholders. |
Sample Writing a Problem Statement Worksheet
Original problem or focus question |
|
Stakeholders who are most affected by the problem |
|
Impact to stakeholders |
|
Type of problem |
|
Suspected cause(s) of the problem |
|
Goal for improvement and long-term impact |
|
Proposal for addressing the problem |
|
Final problem statement |
|
Writing a Problem Statement Worksheet
Complete each section of the chart below. Refer back to the section guidelines and completed sample worksheet above as needed.
Original problem or focusing question | |
Stakeholders who are most affected by the problem | |
Impact to stakeholders | |
Type of problem | |
Suspected cause(s) of the problem | |
Goal for improvement and long-term impact | |
Proposal for addressing the problem | |
Final problem statement | |
© 2015. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.