Problem Framing

“The important and

difficult job is never to
“The important find
and difficult job the right
is never answers,
to find it
the right answers, it is to find the right questions.”
is to find - the
Peter Drucker
right
questions”

Peter Drucker
Statement Starters
Statement Starters

An approach to framing problem statements that invites broad exploration

Statement Starters

“We need a device to help people listen to music”

Vs.

“How might we help people listen to music?”

Framing a question
Statement Starters
• Identify a set of problems or opportunities.
• State each issue in the form of a short phrase
• Add a “starter” to the beginning of each phrase.
• Example 1: “How might we __________”?
• Example 2: “In what ways might we ___________”?
• Example 3: “How to ___________________”?
• Example 4: “What if _________________”?
• Pick the best statement starter for each problem.
• Use the new phrasing as a basis for ideation.
Statement Starters - helpful hints
• Consider adding a “starter” to a research insight.
• Don’t embed solutions into problem statements.
• Use voting to pick the best problem statement.
• Be provocative. Make it a moonshot.
Astro Teller
 Statement Starters - benefits

• Challenges your assumptions

• Helps you see different perspectives
• Provides a direction for problem solving
• Invites divergent thinking
Abstraction Laddering
Abstraction Laddering

A way of reconsidering a problem

statement by broadening or narrowing its
focus
Abstraction Laddering
• Identify an initial problem statement.

• Make a laddering worksheet (rungs as blank spaces).

• Write your initial statement in the middle rung.

• Explore various options for revising the statement.

• Move up the ladder by asking Why?

• Consider the options (broader than the initial one).

• Move down the ladder by asking How?

• Consider the options (narrower than the initial one).

• Discuss and decide which option to use for research, ideation.

 New problem statement New problem statement New problem statement

Abstraction Laddering In what ways might we . . In what ways might we . . In what ways might we . . .

Worksheet
Why? In order to . . . Why? In order to . . . Why? In order to . . .

New problem statement New problem statement New problem statement

In what ways might we . . In what ways might we . . In what ways might we . .

Why else? In order to . . .

Why? In order to . . . Why else? In order to . . .

Initial problem statement

How? By . . . How else? By . . . How else? By . . .

New problem statement New problem statement New problem statement

In what ways might we . . In what ways might we . . In what ways might we . .

How? By . . . How? By . . . How? By . . .

New problem statement New problem statement New problem statement

In what ways might we . . In what ways might we . . In what ways might we . .

 New problem statement New problem statement New problem statement

Abstraction Laddering In what ways might we . . In what ways might we . .

Increase sales of our glucose strips.
In what ways might we . . .
Enable people manage their diabetes better and stay
Worksheet healthy.

Why? In order to . . . Why? In order to . . . Why? In order to . . .

Enable people manage their diabetes better and stay Sell more glucose strips.
healthy.

New problem statement New problem statement New problem statement

In what ways might we . . In what ways might we . . In what ways might we . .

Help people increase their adherence to daily Unit sales of our glucose meters.
measurement protocols.

Why? In order to . . . Why else? In order to . . .

Why else? In order to . . .
In order to increase adherence to daily measurement In order to increase unit sales.
protocols.

Initial problem statement

We need a better glucose meter.

How? By . . . How else? By . . . How else? By . . .

Making our meters easier to use. Making the most accurate glucose meter on the market.

New problem statement New problem statement New problem statement

In what ways might we . . In what ways might we . . In what ways might we . .
Make our meters easier to use. Become the gold standard for glucose monitoring?

How? By . . .
How? By . . . How? By . . .
Reducing the blood sample needed to produce an accurate
reading.

New problem statement New problem statement New problem statement

In what ways might we . .
In what ways might we . . In what ways might we . .
Reduce the blood sample needed to produce an accurate
reading.
Abstraction Laddering- Helpful Hints

• Consider the use of Statement Starters to reframe.

• Take a quick poll to help decide which option is best.

• In the end, the initial statement might be the best.

Abstraction Laddering - benefits

• Challenges your preconceptions

• Helps you refocus a problem statement

• Builds a shared understanding

• Provides a direction for problem-solving

Sunil Sangra
Creativity | Innovation | Design Thinking | Strategy
Consulting | Training | Coaching

Mob: +91-9650866566
sunil.sangra@gmail.com
New Delhi, India`