Problem framing
Problem framing is a problem-solving method that’s designed to align the entire team with one solution for a project by structuring the issue’s details in a digestible and collaborative way. So, when your team can’t agree on a solution, use this play to take a step back and align on the problem you are solving for.
Prep time
5 mins
Run time
30 mins
Persons
3-10
Prep time
5 mins
Run time
30 mins
Persons
3-10
What you will need
Remote
Video conferencing with screen sharing
Digital collaboration tool (see templates)
In-person
Whiteboard
Sticky notes
Markers
Timer
Instructions for running this Play
1. Prep
Est. time:
For remote teams, create a collaboration document using one of the templates above if you’d like. Share the document in advance with your team.
For in-person teams, book a room and prepare sticky notes and markers. Divide the whiteboard into four quadrants: who, what, why, where.
Send any relevant supporting data you have in advance to the team.
Pro tip: Your customers’ shoes
If the problem is around your customers, prepare the team by gathering and sending them as much relevant customer information as possible.
2. Set the stage
Est. time:
Let your team know that the goal today is to understand and define the problem, not to solve it.
3. Brainstorm
Est. time:
Ask the team to take a step back and think about the problem as a whole from the perspective of the people affected by it.
Set a timer for 10 minutes for the team to add their ideas to the collaboration document or on sticky notes to the whiteboard.
Pro tip: Who
Who is experiencing this problem? How do we know that they are experiencing it? What feedback have we received from them on it?
PRO TIP: WHAT
What is the nature of the problem? What signs point to there being a problem?
PRO TIP: WHY
Why is the problem worth solving? What's the impact on the people experiencing the problem? What happens if we don’t solve it?
PRO TIP: WHERE
In what circumstances is this problem occurring? In what circumstances does it not occur?
4. State the problem
Est. time:
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.
Example: final statements
Here are some problem statements that various teams formed at the end of running the Problem Framing play.
Follow-up
Make it visible
Post your problem statement somewhere highly visible to the team - in your online space or in your physical workspace. This will keep the problem at the top of everyone’s mind.
Next steps
Now that you’ve clearly defined the problem, assemble the appropriate team members together to create a plan for solving it. Running a Disruptive Brainstorming Play to generate ideas is a good place to start.
1. Prep
Est. time:
For remote teams, create a collaboration document using one of the templates above if you’d like. Share the document in advance with your team.
For in-person teams, book a room and prepare sticky notes and markers. Divide the whiteboard into four quadrants: who, what, why, where.
Send any relevant supporting data you have in advance to the team.
Pro tip: Your customers’ shoes
If the problem is around your customers, prepare the team by gathering and sending them as much relevant customer information as possible.
2. Set the stage
Est. time:
Let your team know that the goal today is to understand and define the problem, not to solve it.
3. Brainstorm
Est. time:
Ask the team to take a step back and think about the problem as a whole from the perspective of the people affected by it.
Set a timer for 10 minutes for the team to add their ideas to the collaboration document or on sticky notes to the whiteboard.
Pro tip: Who
Who is experiencing this problem? How do we know that they are experiencing it? What feedback have we received from them on it?
PRO TIP: WHAT
What is the nature of the problem? What signs point to there being a problem?
PRO TIP: WHY
Why is the problem worth solving? What's the impact on the people experiencing the problem? What happens if we don’t solve it?
PRO TIP: WHERE
In what circumstances is this problem occurring? In what circumstances does it not occur?
4. State the problem
Est. time:
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.
Example: final statements
Here are some problem statements that various teams formed at the end of running the Problem Framing play.
Follow-up
Make it visible
Post your problem statement somewhere highly visible to the team - in your online space or in your physical workspace. This will keep the problem at the top of everyone’s mind.
Next steps
Now that you’ve clearly defined the problem, assemble the appropriate team members together to create a plan for solving it. Running a Disruptive Brainstorming Play to generate ideas is a good place to start.
Variations
Craft a customer
If the people affected by your problem are your customers, have each team member build a persona for a customer prior to the session. During the session, have them embody that persona and explain the problem as that customer.
Still have questions?
Start a conversation with other Atlassian Team Playbook users, get support, or provide feedback.
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