Pitfalls in Problem Definition
Identifies four common mistakes when defining problems: being too vague, too narrow, assumption-driven, or solution-driven. These pitfalls misdirect analysis and can lead to ineffective solutions.
THE IDEA
Pitfalls in Problem Definition
There are four common pitfalls in defining problems. The first two are basic.
1. No focus—definition is too vague or broad.
Example: What should we do about computers in the workplace?
This statement doesn’t really identify the problem.
2. Focus is misdirected—definition is too narrow.
Example: Johnny’s grades are slipping. How can we get him to study harder?
Lack of effort may not be the problem. If it isn’t, pressuring Johnny to study harder may aggravate the problem.
The other two pitfalls are versions of the second.
3. Statement is assumption-driven.
Example: How can we make leading businesses aware of our marketing capabilities?
By assuming that leading businesses are unaware of these capabilities, the statement defines the problem narrowly. If the assumption is invalid, the problem statement misdirects the focus of the analysis.
4. Statement is solution-driven.
Example: How can we persuade the legislature to build more prisons to reduce prison overcrowding?
This narrow-focus statement assumes a solution. If the assumed solution is inappropriate, the problem statement misdirects the analytic focus.
When to use it
A business team defining a strategic challenge to avoid solution-driven assumptions.
An educator designing interventions for struggling students to avoid too-narrow framing.
A policy maker formulating a public issue to ensure the problem is not assumption-driven.
A product manager defining user experience problems to avoid overly vague statements.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Too Vague
What should we do about computers in the workplace?
Too Narrow
Johnny’s grades are slipping. How can we get him to study harder?
Assumption-Driven
How can we make leading businesses aware of our marketing capabilities?
Solution-Driven
How can we persuade the legislature to build more prisons to reduce prison overcrowding?
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Think of a problem you recently defined. Did it fall into any of these four pitfalls? How would you reframe it to avoid the pitfall?
When faced with a complex issue, what steps can you take to ensure your problem definition is neither too vague nor too narrow?
Identify a time when you or your team jumped to a solution-driven problem statement. What underlying assumptions were at play?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- The Thinkers Toolkit by Morgan D Jones