The Art of Framing Design Problem Statements: A Guide
Are you struggling to define the problem you’re trying to solve in your design project? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. As a designer, one of the most crucial steps is to clearly articulate the problem statement, which lays the foundation for the entire project.
Firstly, let’s understand the purpose of a design problem statement. It’s a concise statement that defines the problem you’re trying to solve through your design. It should be specific, measurable, and actionable. Without a clear problem statement, it’s challenging to create an effective design solution.
A problem statements is an actionable statement used to summarize who a particular user is, the user’s need, and why the need is important to that user. It defines what you want to solve before you move on to generating potential solutions, in order to 1) condense your perspective on the problem, and 2) provide a metric for success to be used throughout the design thinking process.
To balance design problem-solving and creative thinking, the product design team can use a statement that offers clear direction and encourages imaginative ideas. This approach helps the team stay focused on addressing design problems while being receptive to new and innovative solutions. By defining a problem that is specific to the user’s goals, it becomes easier to spot the obstacles that prevent achieving the intended outcome. Furthermore, articulating the problem early on in the project can act as a lens to uncover new opportunities that may have been previously overlooked.
How to frame a problem statement?
To frame a problem statement, begin by identifying the user or customer you’re designing for and describing the problem they’re facing. Then, define the context in which the problem occurs and the impact it has on the user. Finally, outline what success looks like for solving the problem.
Despite the significant benefits of framing a problem, it is often overlooked. A well-crafted design brief that includes visual direction and functional requirements can sometimes suffice. However, if visual and functional decisions are already being made, it’s worth taking a step back to define the problem the product aims to solve. This process can bring clarity to everyone involved, even when there are constraints in terms of time and resources. Regardless of the situation, there are methods that can help achieve this clarity.
The 5 Ws and H framework
It is the most widely used framework to develop problem statements. Once you identify the user’s pain points, you can address who, what, when, where, why, and how to resolve the user’s issue.
- Who is experiencing the problem? Knowing your users and their background is key to creating successful solutions for them.
- What are the pain points you’re trying to solve? Determining a user’s pain points early allows you to answer the rest of these questions and clarify the context of the pain points.
- Where is the user when they’re using the product? A user’s physical context matters to your design.
- When does the problem occur? Maybe it’s right after the end of a long and tedious process, or maybe it’s something that happens daily. Knowing when the problem occurs can help you better empathize with the user’s feelings.
- Why is the problem important? Knowing how this problem affects your user’s experience and life will help to clarify the potential consequences.
- How are users reaching their goals by using the product? Understanding how users reach their goals allows you to map the user journey that they take through your product.
In order to create a solution that meets the needs of your users, it is essential to comprehend the issue from their perspective. By applying the 5 Ws and how framework, you are compelled to identify the user, outline the problem’s context, and describe it from the user’s viewpoint.
Framing a design problem statement requires careful consideration and attention to detail. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can effectively define the problem you’re trying to solve and create a successful design solution.
