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Problem framing template

by Atlassian

Discover the underlying causes of a problem

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Problem framing template

Before you can come up with new solutions and project plans, it’s important to take a step back and analyze the problem thoroughly. That way, you can be sure you’re investing your team’s time and resources effectively. Use the problem framing template to run the Problem Framing Play. Created by Atlassian Team Playbook coaches, the Problem Framing Play is a team exercise that helps uncover the who, what, where, when, and why of a business problem.

How to use the problem framing template

Step 1. Prepare for collaboration

Start by organizing all the resources you need to collaborate. Add information about your team and type // to add the meeting’s date to the template. Share the template with your team and invite them to add questions and comments before you meet. If you’re meeting in person, book a room with a whiteboard, markers, and sticky notes.

Step 2. Brainstorm the problem

When you meet with your team, start by explaining the goal of the meeting. Once you’ve set the stage, take a step back and think about the problem as a whole from the perspective of the people affected by it. Use the template to organize your thoughts about the problem’s causes and its impact on business.

Step 2. Brainstorm the problem

Step 3. Create a problem statement

Using the ideas generated by the team, craft one concise problem statement that sums up the issue from the customer’s perspective. The problem statement should include who is affected, what is affecting them, why it needs to be solved, and where the problem is happening. Once you’ve created a problem statement, share the page with teammates that didn’t attend the meeting and ask them to leave comments.


Atlassian is an enterprise software company that develops products for software developers, project managers, and content management.

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