Problem Restatement
Restating a problem in more specific terms can generate solution alternatives, whereas very general statements are less likely to suggest answers.
THE IDEA
Some of the alternative statements of the problem do suggest answers. The more general the statement of a problem the less likely is it to suggest answers. If a problem is stated in very general terms then it is not easy to restate the problem in another way on the same level of generality. If this is the case one can always descend to a more specific level in order to generate alternatives. For instance ‘the problem of lost children in crowds’ could be restated as the ‘problem of careless parents in crowds’ or ‘the problem of children in crowds’ but one could also use a more specific level such as ‘the problem of returning lost children to their parents’.
When to use it
In business strategy, when faced with a vague goal like 'increase sales', restate as 'increase sales of Product X in demographic Y by 15%' to generate concrete actions.
In education, a teacher struggling with 'students not paying attention' could restate as 'students not paying attention during math lessons after lunch' to find specific interventions.
In personal problem-solving, 'I am unhappy with my job' could be restated as 'I dislike the commute and the lack of challenging tasks' to target solutions.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Lost Children in Crowds
The general problem 'lost children in crowds' can be restated as 'careless parents in crowds' or 'children in crowds', or made more specific as 'returning lost children to their parents'. Each restatement suggests different solution approaches.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
How can you restate a problem you are currently facing in more specific terms?
What happens to the number of solution ideas when you make a problem statement more general?
Think of a time when a broad problem statement made it hard to find solutions. How could you have made it more specific?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Lateral Thinking A Textbook of Creativity (Edward de Bono)