Written by Craig Whitcomb
A clear and concise problem statement is an essential first step for any invention, project or business startup. It defines the problem that needs to be addressed and provides a roadmap for developing a solution. It’s akin to setting sail with a destination in mind rather than drifting at sea.
Identifying a problem isn’t merely about recognizing a hurdle; it’s about understanding it completely through a “problem statement.” The statement serves as the compass, guiding your inventive efforts, and ensures that the subsequent investment of time and resources is directed purposefully toward a well-defined challenge. By anchoring your invention in a robust problem statement, you not only enhance the clarity of your vision but also fortify the strategic foundation of your creative process.
To your listing viewers, a concise problem statement demonstrates market relevance, efficient evaluation, a depth of research, and effective communication – all essential factors that contribute to the perceived value of the invention in the eyes of a licensee or partner.
In the last article we touched on creating a problem statement as a strategy for your Remarkable Venture listing title. We will now discuss how to create a problem statement in more detail for your listing problem statement field.
Start by identifying the problem that you want to solve. What is the issue that needs to be addressed? What are the symptoms of the problem, and how does it affect people or businesses? Do research and look for opinions on the matter to make sure that your assumptions are true.
Next, define the scope of the problem. Is it a specific issue that affects a particular group of people or a broader problem that affects society as a whole? Defining the scope of the problem will help you focus your research and develop a targeted solution.
Use clear and concise language to describe the problem. Avoid jargon or technical terms that might be difficult for others to understand. Explain complex concepts in a straightforward manner. While your audience may have a genuine interest in your idea, not everyone may have a specialized background in the field. Present as though your audience is at a high school or college entry level of understanding and reading comprehension.
Provide specific details about the problem, such as the frequency of occurrence, the severity, and any contributing factors. This shows why it needs to be addressed.
State the impact of the problem in terms of what is at stake if the problem is not solved. This could be financial, social, environmental, or any other relevant impact.
When defining the problem statement, it is important to avoid bias or assumptions about the cause of the problem. Focus on describing the problem objectively.
Finally, refine the problem statement by reviewing it with others and testing its clarity and effectiveness. Get feedback from colleagues, experts, or potential users to ensure that the problem statement is clear, concise, and accurately represents the problem.
Let’s look at an example of a clear and concise problem statement and review the steps used to create it:
Problem Statement: Residents of a low-income community lack access to fresh, affordable produce which contributes to limited variety and poor health.
In this case, the problem is that residents of a low-income community lack access to fresh and affordable produce.
The problem affects a specific community and their access to fresh produce.
The language used in the problem statement is straightforward and easy to understand.
The problem statement provides specific details about the issue, including the lack of access to fresh produce and the negative impact on health outcomes and dietary choices.
The problem statement highlights the impact of the problem on the community’s health outcomes and dietary choices.
The problem statement focuses on describing the problem objectively without making assumptions about the cause.
The problem statement was refined by reviewing it with members of the community and testing its clarity and effectiveness.
By following these steps, we were able to create a clear and concise problem statement that accurately represents the issue and provides a roadmap for developing a solution.
When creating a problem statement for your Remarkable Venture listing it is ok to list more than one problem in the problem statement field. You can use bullet points or numbering if you prefer.
This step may be fairly quick but also could take time and research to make sure your assumptions are factual.
To continue the Remarkable Venture Inventing series, read: Creating Remarkable Venture Listing – Step 1 next.
Please help the community by adding your expertise relating to this article or asking/answering questions in the group discussion below. Remarkable Venture does not offer legal advice. Consult with a qualified Attorney for decisions concerning your particular needs.
