{"enrichment":{"faq":[{"a":"define-problem-statement guides you to build a concise framing document that establishes shared understanding before solution work begins. Start by identifying affected users and their pain points, then connect those to business impact. Define measurable success criteria so your team solves the right problem rather than jumping to how. The skill walks through each component systematically.","q":"How do I write a problem statement for a new project?"},{"a":"define-problem-statement emphasizes identifying affected users, surfacing their pain points, and connecting those to business impact. Include measurable success criteria so leadership and team members share the same definition of what winning looks like. This shared understanding prevents misalignment and ensures everyone focuses on solving the core problem before debating solutions.","q":"What should a problem statement include to align teams?"},{"a":"define-problem-statement helps you communicate project priorities and rationale by structuring the problem with user impact and metrics. Present the affected user segments, their pain points, the business consequences, and your success metrics. This framing makes the problem tangible and justifies why solving it matters\u2014giving stakeholders confidence in your direction.","q":"How do I frame a problem for stakeholders?"},{"a":"define-problem-statement is your tool for establishing shared understanding before solution work begins. Use it early to align on what to solve and why. A PRD comes later, detailing how you'll build the solution. Problem statements prevent teams from drifting into the wrong solution; they're the foundation that makes your PRD more focused and effective.","q":"When should I use a problem statement vs. a PRD?"},{"a":"define-problem-statement lets you step back and reframe the core problem and intent. When projects drift, revisiting the original user pain points, business impact, and success metrics often reveals where the team lost focus. Use this skill to rebuild consensus around what you're actually solving, then course-correct before investing more effort in the wrong direction.","q":"How can define-problem-statement help realign a drifting project?"},{"a":"define-problem-statement teaches you to define measurable success criteria as part of your problem framing. Metrics transform vague goals into concrete targets\u2014showing your team and leadership how you'll know the problem is solved. Without them, teams can't agree on what winning looks like, leading to misalignment and wasted effort.","q":"What role do success metrics play in a problem statement?"}],"shadow_tags":["stakeholder-alignment","problem-discovery","impact-measurement","initiative-kickoff","requirements-foundation","team-onboarding","scope-definition","strategic-planning","user-research-synthesis"],"summary_rewrite":"This skill guides you through building a concise problem framing document that establishes shared understanding before solution work begins. It walks through identifying affected users, surfacing pain points, connecting to business impact, and defining measurable success criteria\u2014ensuring your team solves the right problem rather than jumping to how."},"files":[{"bytes":3728,"path":"skills/define-problem-statement/SKILL.md","sha256":"494fbd95caeac81bf3681f0c4598a01cda671757db98c85e5c3f6ba15e65479d","url":"https://skillfed.io/files/product-on-purpose/pm-skills/define-problem-statement/f11a51a5/SKILL.md"}],"id":"product-on-purpose/pm-skills/define-problem-statement","links":{"html":"https://skillfed.io/product-on-purpose/pm-skills/define-problem-statement","md":"https://skillfed.io/product-on-purpose/pm-skills/define-problem-statement.md","repo":"https://github.com/product-on-purpose/pm-skills"},"meta":{"agents_supported":[],"first_seen":"2026-07-28","forks":66,"language":"JavaScript","last_updated":"2026-07-24","license":"Apache-2.0","name":"define-problem-statement","publisher":"product-on-purpose","stars":505},"relations":{"categories":["product-management","strategic-planning","stakeholder-communication"],"similar":[{"id":"product-on-purpose/pm-skills/develop-solution-brief"},{"id":"product-on-purpose/pm-skills/define-jtbd-canvas"},{"id":"product-on-purpose/pm-skills/deliver-prd"},{"id":"product-on-purpose/pm-skills/foundation-lean-canvas"},{"id":"product-on-purpose/pm-skills/discover-competitive-analysis"},{"id":"product-on-purpose/pm-skills/develop-adr"},{"id":"product-on-purpose/pm-skills/develop-design-rationale"},{"id":"product-on-purpose/pm-skills/define-opportunity-tree"},{"id":"product-on-purpose/pm-skills/foundation-persona"},{"id":"product-on-purpose/pm-skills/define-hypothesis"}]},"slug":{"owner":"product-on-purpose","repo":"pm-skills","skill":"define-problem-statement"},"version":"f11a51a5"}