How to write a problem statement: Template and examples

In product management, a well-defined problem statement is crucial for understanding customer pain points, needs, and opportunities, and for guiding teams in developing effective solutions. A problem statement encapsulates the customer's issue, expressed as a pain point or opportunity, and is essential for defining the problem's scope and establishing a success criterion. By framing the problem from the customer's perspective, product managers can better understand the role and job the customer is trying to accomplish with the product, leading to a more focused and actionable solution. Utilizing frameworks such as user personas and the Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD) approach helps in crafting comprehensive problem statements that highlight the customer's motivation, expected outcome, and emotional impact of the problem. This approach not only aids in avoiding unnecessary feature development but also fosters a shared understanding among team members, ultimately driving more customer-centric product improvements.