science

Problem statement

Problem statement is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Problem statement rather than just read about it. In short: A problem statement is a description of an issue to be addressed, or a condition to be improved upon. It identifies the gap between the current problem and goal.

Key takeaways

Problem statement belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Problem statement to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Problem statement from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

A problem statement is a description of an issue to be addressed, or a condition to be improved upon. It identifies the gap between the current problem and goal. The first condition of solving a problem is understanding the problem, which can be done by way of a problem statement. Problem statements are used by most businesses and organizations to execute process improvement projects.

Purpose The main purpose of a problem statement is to identify and explain the problem. Another function of the problem statement is as a communication device. Before the project begins, stakeholders verify the problem and goals are accurately described in the problem statement. Once approved, the project reviews it. This also helps define project scope. The problem statement is referenced throughout the project to establish focus within the project team and verify they stay on track. At the end of the project, it is revisited to confirm the solution indeed solves the problem. The problem statement does not define the solution or methods of reaching the solution, and only recognizes the gap between the problem and goal.

Writing There are several basic elements that can be built into every problem statement. The problem statement should focus on the end user, and the statement should not be too broad or narrow. Problem statements usually follow a format. While there are several options, the following is a template often used in business analysis.

Ideal: The desired state of the process or product. Reality: The current state of the process or product. Consequences: The impacts on the business if the problem is not fixed or improved upon. Proposal: Potential solutions.

References

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Problem statement

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Problem statement claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Problem statement before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Problem statement ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Problem statement

In research: Problem statement appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Problem statement in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Problem statement is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Problem solving, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Problem statement outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Problem statement in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Problem statement means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Problem statement out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Problem statement in simple terms?

A problem statement is a description of an issue to be addressed, or a condition to be improved upon. It identifies the gap between the current problem and goal.

Why does Problem statement matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Problem statement?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Problem statement.