In application development, a problem statement is a concise description of the issue or need that your application is designed to address.
A problem statement is a fundamental element at the beginning of the app design and development process. It clearly articulates the specific problem that the target users face, which the proposed application aims to solve. As highlighted in the reference, creating a meaningful and actionable problem statement is an important part of the app design process as it helps you fully understand your goal and creates a clear-cut objective to work towards. It will also help you kick start your ideation process.
Essentially, it acts as a compass for the entire development team, ensuring everyone understands what problem is being solved and why it needs solving. This clarity is crucial for defining scope, setting priorities, and measuring success later on.
Why is a Problem Statement Important?
Defining a clear problem statement offers several key benefits:
- Focus: Keeps the development team centered on the core issue, preventing scope creep.
- Alignment: Ensures all stakeholders (designers, developers, product managers) are aligned on the project's purpose.
- Decision Making: Provides a reference point for evaluating features and making design choices.
- Communication: Helps explain the project's value to others, including potential users or investors.
- Ideation: As the reference notes, it helps kickstart the ideation process by providing a clear target for brainstorming solutions.
Components of a Good Problem Statement
While formats can vary, an effective problem statement often includes:
- The User: Who is experiencing the problem? (Target audience)
- The Problem: What is the specific issue they face?
- The Impact: What is the consequence or result of this problem? (Why is it important to solve?)
- The Goal: What is the desired outcome or state after solving the problem?
Sometimes, it might also include the context (where/when the problem occurs) or existing solutions and their shortcomings.
Here's a simple structure often used:
[Our target user] has a problem that [problem description] when they are trying to [context/activity]. This results in [impact/consequence].
Example Problem Statements
Let's look at examples to illustrate the concept:
| Poor Problem Statement | Good Problem Statement | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| "People need a better calendar app." | "Busy professionals struggle to effectively manage work-life balance due to overlapping personal and professional scheduling tools, leading to missed appointments and increased stress." | Specific user (busy professionals), clear problem (overlapping tools), context (managing balance), and impact (missed appointments, stress). |
| "Students can't find tutors." | "University students studying complex subjects often cannot quickly find affordable, qualified tutors available for last-minute sessions, hindering their ability to prepare for exams effectively." | Specific user (university students), clear problem (finding affordable/qualified tutors quickly), context (last-minute sessions for complex subjects), and impact (hindered exam prep). |
Practical Tips for Writing One
Writing a compelling problem statement requires careful thought:
- Research: Talk to potential users to deeply understand their needs and pain points.
- Be Specific: Avoid vague language. Clearly define the user, problem, and impact.
- Focus on the User: Frame the problem from the user's perspective, not from a technical solution viewpoint.
- Keep it Concise: It should be easy to understand and remember.
- Validate: Share the statement with potential users and stakeholders to ensure it resonates and accurately captures the issue.
By investing time in crafting a strong problem statement, development teams lay a solid foundation for building applications that truly solve user needs and achieve their goals.
