I worked on a significant project recently where I was asked to create a problem statement which the project would address in its delivery. It can be hard to do this within a short space of time and with only limited insights into the stakeholders.

Equally, the rest of the project team were still in discovery mode and gathering data and insights.

I find it easiest to work backwards sometimes – look at the opportunity and the value it brings and then go back to the problem.

Clarity in defining the problem often is different for different stakeholders. What might be a problem for some may be an opportunity for others.

Many people though find it easier to tell you the problems but when prompted struggle to find the opportunities and potential value that a new or changed solution might bring. Maybe it’s because often we find negativity easier to define than opportunity.

The value I bring is to draw out the conversation, tapping into expertise and to then collate this altogether into a clearly defined problem statement.

It’s that problem statement that ultimately is what your project is trying to deliver against – make sure its clear, focussed and everyone knows what they are aiming for!