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The Global Insight

What needs to be included in a problem statement?

Author

John Hall

Updated on February 08, 2026

A problem statement should describe an undesirable gap between the current-state level of performance and the desired future-state level of performance. A problem statement should include absolute or relative measures of the problem that quantify that gap, but should not include possible causes or solutions!

What are the 5 things included in a problem statement?

How to write a problem statement

  • Describe how things should work.
  • Explain the problem and state why it matters.
  • Explain your problem’s financial costs.
  • Back up your claims.
  • Propose a solution.
  • Explain the benefits of your proposed solution(s).
  • Conclude by summarizing the problem and solution.

What should a problem statement not include?

The problem statement must not include any indication or speculation about the cause of the problem or what actions will be taken to solve the problem. Never attempt to solve the problem or steer the solution at this stage.

What are the 4 items every problem statement should include?

There are four key elements you should include when writing a problem statement: Ideal situation. Reality….

  • Ideal situation.
  • Reality.
  • Consequences.
  • Proposal.

What is a good problem statement example?

A problem statement is a clear concise description of the issue(s) that need(s) to be addressed by a problem solving team. For example, our problem is that we don’t have an ERP system. Method – the process that will get followed to solve the problem. For example, DMAIC or Kaizen.

Is there a statement of the problem?

The statement of the problem is a focal point of any research and a bridge between the literature review and the research methodology. Problem statement often has three elements; the problem itself, the method of solving the problem and the purpose.

What is the first part of a statement of the problem?

Problem statements often have three elements: the problem itself, stated clearly and with enough contextual detail to establish why it is important; the method of solving the problem, often stated as a claim or a working thesis; the purpose, statement of objective and scope of the document the writer is preparing.

How do you write a problem statement in A3?

Below you can find an A3 report example, which most often will include the following steps:

  1. Background/Clarify the problem.
  2. Current situation.
  3. Set targets/goals.
  4. Root cause analysis.
  5. Countermeasures.
  6. Implementation.
  7. Effect confirmation/Follow-up.

What is a statement of issue?

A problem statement is a concise description of an issue to be addressed or a condition to be improved upon. It identifies the gap between the current (problem) state and desired (goal) state of a process or product. Focusing on the facts, the problem statement should be designed to address the Five Ws.

What is problem statement example?

How to write a problem statement for a problem?

1 Gap: Identify the gap (pain) that exists today. 2 Timeframe, location and trend: Describe when and where the problem was first observed and what kind of trend it is following. 3 Impact: Quantify the gap (cost, time, quality, environmental, personal, etc.) 4 Importance: To the organization, the individual, etc. to better understand the urgency.

When to use needs statement and problem statement?

DEFINITIONS The term needs statementis generally used in seeking funding for programs or services, while problem statementusually applies to social or com- munity concerns or research-oriented proposals. Oftentimes, the terms are used interchangeably; for our purposes, we will use both terms in this chapter.

Which is an example of an issue statement?

Issue Statement – one or two sentences that describe the problem using specific issues. It is not a “lack of a solution” statement. For example, our problem is that we don’t have an ERP system. Method – the process that will get followed to solve the problem. For example, DMAIC or Kaizen.

What are the elements of an effective problem statement?

Key elements of an effective problem statement include: Gap: Identify the gap (pain) that exists today. Timeframe, location and trend: Describe when and where the problem was first observed and what kind of trend it is following. Impact: Quantify the gap (cost, time, quality, environmental, personal, etc.)