Anatomy of a problem statement

A strong problem statement has 4 key components:

1. It identifies the problem clearly without assuming a solution.
2. It provides context about who experiences the issue and when it happens.
3. It defines the scope to prevent feature creep.
4. It includes measurable elements to track progress.

Context is crucial. Understanding who faces the problem, how often it occurs, and what triggers it gives teams the information they need. This context helps everyone understand why the problem matters and guides solution development. Measurability separates wishes from actionable goals. If your pizza delivery business has high order abandonment, your problem statement should include metrics. "Decrease the abandonment rate by 15% within a month" gives teams a clear target. Without measurement, you can't know if you've succeeded.^[1]