CHALLENGES

Get the problem right

Spending time to understand a problem first will lead to better ideas later.

Preview how this activity will happen in this two-minute video from the template. Turn on closed captioning to read instructions in your preferred language.

When you spot a problem, you want to take action quickly in order to mitigate any negative effects, but the evidence we see might be a symptom and not the underlying problem itself.

Why get the problem right? 

The most valuable opportunities address big problems that people have all the time. By understanding the knock-on effects of an issue, we can measure its size and importance. Exploring what causes a problem helps you focus on things you can actually control. You may discover you need to spend more time better understanding the problem.

There are different ways to get the problem right. You might:

  • Create a diagram of the problem space

  • Speak to people who are having the issue

  • Experience the problem for yourself

What makes a good approach? One that: 

  • Separates causes from effects

  • Determines the scale or size of the issue

  • Illustrates your current understanding

  • Can be created and shared with others

We recommend you:

  • Select a meaningful challenge

  • List any evidence of the negative effects

  • Explore what may happen next if this challenge is left unresolved

  • Capture the underlying causes

  • Share and discuss your diagram of the problem space with others

  • Determine whether more research is needed

In this example, the What Could Be product team was investigating a key obstacle to product development, “Not having a timely prototyping strategy.” The investigation led to creating more regular testing at shorter intervals.

It’s now time for you to get the problem right for your project.

 

HOW?

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