Problems may arise in your personal life, professional life and community.Taking time to define a problem may make it easier to find solutions.Gather information about the problem.The problem should be put into words.Look for possible solutions to the problem after analyzing what you wrote.
Step 1: To get to the heart of the problem, ask why.
Asking why is a good way to understand the problem.When you can't think of anything else to say about the problem, keep asking why.It works well in a group setting, but you can ask why on your own.If you're looking for a new apartment, you could start by asking, "Why do I need an apartment?"To gather more information on child hunger in your community, you might follow this line of questioning, "Why are children in this community going hungry?"Their parents are running out of money by the end of the month.Why are they running out of money?Their food benefits are renewed at the beginning of the month.
Step 2: What do you know about the problem?
As much as you can remember about the problem, write it down.If you are working with a group of people to define a problem, have everyone in your group do the same.You can either list the information or write it down.If you're in need of a new apartment, it's a good idea to write down the details, such as when you need to move in, how much you can pay in rent each month, and where the apartment is located.If you are trying to define the problem of child hunger in your community, you might want to include the estimated number of children affected, the areas where these children live, and where the children attend school.
Step 3: You need to figure out what else you need.
Think about what you don't know.It's important to develop a comprehensive definition of the problem and to work towards a solution.Talking about what information you need may be helpful if you are working in a group.If you're looking for a new apartment, you might want to look at the cost of utilities without a roommate, as well as the maximum rent per month.If you want to define the problem of child hunger in your area, you need to know how much extra food each family needs, what the shortage is in their benefit checks, and if they have any other sources of food.
Step 4: To fill the gaps, do research.
Try to find the information you need online.If that doesn't turn up the results, you may need to make phone calls, design a survey, or consult an expert to get the information you need.If you want to find an apartment within a specific area and price range, you can visit the apartment complex's website, check your local newspaper for apartment listings, or call a local complex and ask questions.If you want to find out why children in your community are hungry, talk to someone from the local food bank or create a survey for parents.
Step 5: Write down the problem in your own words.
Write down the problem in your own words.In your description, be specific.If the problem is that you need to find a new apartment because your roommate is moving out, you might write it as, "I cannot afford to live in a 2 bedroom apartment on my own and I haven't been able to."
Step 6: Your initial statement should be expanded with more details.
Use the information you have gathered to add to your initial description.You should include as much information as you can about the problem.If you need to find a new apartment by the end of the month, your tentative statement might be, "I can no longer afford this one."If you are trying to define the problem of child hunger in your community, then you might write, "children in this community are going hungry towards the end of the year."
Step 7: Discuss the statement to see if it could be stronger.
Talking through the problem statement in a group is a great way to find out if you missed anything.Discuss the statement with an open mind.You can strengthen the statement by defining the problem more clearly.Ask your group members what else is missing from the statement.How could we make it stronger?
Step 8: The problem statement uses key terms.
The definitions of any key terms you use should be included in your problem statement.If it seems like the terms will be understood by your audience, then do this.In a problem statement on child hunger in your community, you might need to explain what food benefits are.
Step 9: People describe the problem in different ways.
Discuss the problem with people who are affected.Some people have written about the problem.This could lead to a better understanding of the problem and even a solution.If you're looking for a new apartment because of the cost, you might notice that other people have the same problem.The high cost of living in that neighborhood is central to the problem.If you want to find out why children in your community are going hungry, read what other people have written about it.The distribution of food benefits is likely to be central to the problem.
Step 10: Check for possible causes of the problem.
It's possible that you don't know what caused the problem.Take some time to figure it out and write it down.Before you try to solve the problem, you should be aware of multiple causes.If the high cost of a neighborhood is driven by the location and safety of the area, then these might be worth paying a little extra money for.If you can find a way to work it into your budget, consider cutting back on entertainment or another expense.A lack of access to affordable food in the community may be a cause of child hunger.
Step 11: The consequences of the problem can be determined.
It could lead to worse problems in the future if you don't work towards a solution.Take the time to think about the consequences of the problem continuing.Make a list of pros and cons of the problem and see how you can make it better.There may be more negative aspects of solving the problem than allowing it to continue.If you try to stay in an apartment that you can't afford, you may end up in a worse financial situation later on.If the problem of child hunger is not solved, children could suffer from malnutrition and psychological trauma, which could affect them for the rest of their lives.
Step 12: There are areas of the problem that you can change.
Many of the factors that make up the problem may be out of your control.Think about how you can change the problem.You are not in control of the cost of rent if you can't afford it.You may be able to save or earn more money to stay in the same neighborhood.You may not be able to change the way families use their food benefits if you are trying to solve child hunger.Resources can be provided to help them when they run out.