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Pablo Rodriguez

Develop Problem Statement

Develop a Problem Statement

Section titled “Develop a Problem Statement”

AI-Guided Learning Activity

Section titled “AI-Guided Learning Activity”

This activity focuses on building problem statements through an AI-guided discussion with Coach. The activity demonstrates the practical application of problem statement development using a fictional product scenario.

Key Learning Outcomes

Section titled “Key Learning Outcomes”

Problem Statement Definition

Section titled “Problem Statement Definition”

What is a problem statement in UX design?

  • Problem statements transform user research into actionable goals
  • They bridge the gap between identifying issues and creating solutions by providing clear, focused direction for the design team

Benefits of Effective Problem Statements

Section titled “Benefits of Effective Problem Statements”

Clear Goals

Helps establish clear goals and gets team aligned while focusing on user needs

Constraint Identification

Reveals constraints and shows what blocks users from achieving their goals

Solution Definition

Defines deliverables and what the solution should produce

Success Metrics

Creates success metrics with clear benchmarks and measurable outcomes

Problem Statement Template

Section titled “Problem Statement Template”

The key elements of an effective problem statement follow this formula:

Problem Statement Template
[user] is a/an [characteristics] who needs [need] because [insight]

Template Components

Section titled “Template Components”
  • [user] - The specific person experiencing the problem
  • [characteristics] - Relevant traits or context about the user
  • [need] - What the user requires to solve their problem
  • [insight] - Why this need exists (the underlying reason)

Practical Example

Section titled “Practical Example”

Scenario

Section titled “Scenario”

A hardware store owner wants to expand their app to include online ordering for pickup.

Developed Problem Statement

Section titled “Developed Problem Statement”

“Alex is a carpenter who needs a hammer quickly because he misplaced his in the middle of a serious project.”

Analysis of Example

Section titled “Analysis of Example”
  • User: Alex
  • Characteristics: Carpenter (professional context)
  • Need: A hammer quickly (specific, time-sensitive requirement)
  • Insight: He misplaced his tool during an active project (explains urgency)

Activity Structure

Section titled “Activity Structure”

The AI-guided activity follows a structured progression:

  1. Conceptual Understanding: Define what problem statements are and why they’re useful
  2. Template Learning: Understand the key elements and formula structure
  3. Practical Application: Apply knowledge to create problem statements for realistic scenarios
  4. Feedback and Validation: Receive guidance on problem statement quality and effectiveness

Key Guidelines for Coach Interaction

Section titled “Key Guidelines for Coach Interaction”
  • Ask questions to get hints or additional examples
  • Request clarification when stuck on any part of the activity
  • Use “I’m stuck” for reframing difficult concepts
  • Check progress with “How am I doing?” to track completion
  • Coach responses are based on course materials but may occasionally surface inaccurate information

The activity emphasizes hands-on learning through guided practice, helping students move from theoretical understanding to practical application of problem statement development skills.