Try it now:

Use the Problem

Statement
Worksheet
Problem Solving

© Copyright 2020 McKinsey & Company. This material contains the confidential and proprietary information of McKinsey & Company
and is intended solely for your internal use and may not be reproduced, disclosed or distributed without McKinsey & Company’s
express prior written consent.
 ​Chapter › Topic

Use the Problem Statement Worksheet 25 minutes

​Instructions

​The value of the Problem Statement Worksheet is twofold: it provides a structure to help ​Questions to consider:
you define a problem robustly at the start of a problem solving effort, and is a highly
effective tool for communication.  What new perspectives
did you gain?
 Goal: Use the Problem Statement Worksheet to define a problem you are currently  What areas of the
working on, then reflect on new insights you gained by using the tool Problem Statement
Worksheet were least
 Logistics: This can be completed individually or with colleagues. If the option exists, developed in your initial
we recommend doing it with colleagues because problem definition is enhanced by description?
multiple perspectives
 How can you leverage
these areas to further
 Estimated time: 25 minutes
refine the problem
statement?
​Identify a problem you are currently working on and describe it succinctly but thoroughly
on the next page. Then, fill in the Problem Statement Worksheet. If doing this activity
with colleagues, be sure to gather their full perspectives as you complete the worksheet.
Once you’ve completed the worksheet, compare your initial problem description to the
additional information you’ve recorded in the worksheet.
McKinsey & Company 2
​Use the Problem Statement Worksheet
​Worksheet

​Enter text here…

​Tips to consider:
• Your problem can be of
any size, from deciding
how to prioritize a
meeting agenda given a
change in attendees, to
how to best provide
insight to a customer.
• Try to include as much
detail as possible – this
will help you develop a
more robust Problem
Statement Worksheet.

McKinsey & Company

The Problem Statement Worksheet description
​Core content
​Problem questions (The basic question to be resolved)
​Concisely define, in the form of a question, what must be resolved. This focuses your work and ensures that your findings are actionable. Your basic question
should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Relevant, and Time-bound
​Context
​Think about the “environment” around the
problem you’re facing. Will internal or
external situations affect how you solve the
problem? Are there complications to
consider? This field may encompass current
industry trends, availability of finances, or
skill gaps on your team
​Stakeholders
​List all the major players critical to your
solution. Consider all decision makers who
could support—or block—your solution. Also
include internal or external parties who might
affect how your solution is implemented
​Constraints within solution space
​While scope defines the space of your
solution, constraints focus on what can or
cannot happen within that space
​Scope of solution space
​What will and will not be considered in your
solution? The scope should be broad
enough to ensure that you’re considering all
relevant solutions, yet narrow enough to
ensure that your analysis is manageable
​Criteria for success
​What must happen for your solution to be
successful? What could happen to make your
solution a failure? Consider timing of impact,
visibility of improvement, mindset shifts, and what
success looks like for key stakeholders. Criteria
should be measurable, so you can judge whether or
not your final solution satisfies them
​Key sources of insight
​These are where you will turn for information. Can
you leverage available resources from your
department, company, or industry? Identifying these
resources will simplify your effort and ensure you’re
not repeating work that’s already been done
McKinsey & Company
The Problem Statement Worksheet
​Worksheet

​Problem question (The basic question to be resolved)

Enter text here…

​Context ​Constraints within solution space ​Criteria for success

Enter text here… Enter text here… Enter text here…

​Stakeholders ​Scope of solution space ​Key sources of insight

Enter text here… Enter text here… Enter text here…

McKinsey & Company 5