State the Problem Without Smuggling Solutions

Do not let the first fix masquerade as the problem. Observable Gap A problem statement starts with what changed, where it changed, and why the change matters. Use numbers when you have them. If you do not have them, say what evidence would prove the gap. Cause Boundary Do not write the suspected cause as fact. First-principles thinking strips the issue back to what must be true. 5 Whys then traces the causal chain, but each why needs evidence or a planned check. Testable Hypotheses A useful problem statement produces next actions. Hypotheses are not opinions; they are claims that…

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