According to the provided reference, the ideation process is what comes after a problem statement, as a well-defined problem statement helps to "kick start the ideation process (third stage)".
The Role of the Problem Statement
A clear and concise problem statement is fundamental in various fields, from business to design and research. Its primary purpose is to articulate the specific issue or need that requires a solution. A great definition of your problem statement will guide your efforts and your team's work effectively. It acts as a compass, ensuring that all subsequent activities are focused on addressing the identified problem.
Problem Statement and the Ideation Process
Based on the provided information, a key outcome of having a strong problem statement is its ability to initiate the next phase of work. The reference states that a good problem statement will "kick start the ideation process (third stage) in the right direction".
Ideation is the creative process of generating, developing, and communicating new ideas. It's where you brainstorm potential solutions, approaches, and concepts to tackle the problem defined in the problem statement. The problem statement provides the necessary focus and boundary for this creative exploration, preventing aimless brainstorming and ensuring that generated ideas are relevant to the actual challenge.
Key Connection Points:
- Guidance: The problem statement directs the focus of ideation.
- Initiation: It explicitly "kicks start" the ideation phase.
- Context: It places ideation within a potential framework of stages (referred to as the "third stage" in the reference).
Understanding the Stages
The reference mentions the ideation process as the "third stage" and notes that "the five stages are not always sequential — they do not have to follow any specific order and they can often occur in parallel and be repeated iteratively." This indicates that while there might be a typical flow (perhaps starting with understanding the problem, defining it, then ideating, and so on), the process is flexible and non-linear in practice. Therefore, while ideation often follows the problem statement, the overall workflow can involve looping back to redefine the problem based on insights gained during ideation or other stages.
In summary, armed with a clear problem statement, the next logical step, according to the reference, is to move into the phase of generating ideas to solve that problem.
