Techniques for Problem Restatement

Techniques for Problem Restatement

There are countless ways of creatively restating problems. The following five techniques are particularly effective:

1. Paraphrase: Restate the problem using different words without losing the original meaning.

Initial statement: How can we limit congestion on the roads?

Paraphrase: How can we keep road congestion from growing?

Trying to say the same thing with different words puts a slightly different spin on the meaning, which triggers new perspectives and informative insights.

2. 180 degrees: Turn the problem on its head.

Initial statement: How can we get employees to come to the company picnic?

180 degrees: How can we discourage employees from attending the picnic?

Taking the opposite view of a problem is a surprisingly effective technique, because it challenges the problem’s underlying premises and can suggest possible causes. In the example, the answer to the 180-degree statement may be that the picnic is scheduled at a time when employees will be at church or are otherwise engaged in important personal activities. If so, scheduling around those activities would be one way to get employees to come to the picnic.

3. Broaden the focus: Restate the problem in a larger context.

Initial statement: Should I change jobs?

Broaden focus: How can I achieve job security?

Note that the answer to the initial statement is a yes or no and immediately cuts off consideration of alternative options.

4. Redirect the focus: Boldly, consciously change the focus.

Initial statement: How can we boost sales?

Redirected focus: How can we cut costs?

Of the five techniques, this approach demands the most thought and creativity. It is therefore the most difficult but also the most productive.

5. Ask “Why”: Ask “why” of the initial problem statement. Then formulate a new problem statement based on the answer. Then ask “why” again, and again restate the problem based on the answer. Repeat this process a number of times until the essence of the “real” problem emerges.

Initial statement: How can we market our in-house multimedia products?

Why? Because many of our internal customers are outsourcing their multimedia projects.

Restatement: How can we keep internal customers from outsourcing their multimedia projects?

Why? Because it should be our mandate to do all of the organization’s multimedia.

Restatement: How can we establish a mandate to do all of the organization’s multimedia?

Why? Because we need to broaden our customer base.

Restatement: How can we broaden our customer base?

Why? Because we need a larger base in order to be cost effective.

Restatement: How can we become more cost effective?

Why? Because our profit margin is diminishing.

Restatement: How can we increase our profit margin?

The final question is how to increase the profit margin. Obtaining an exclusive mandate is one proposed route, not the underlying objective established by this sequence.

As is evident from these examples, restating a problem several different ways is a divergent technique that opens our mind to alternatives. Comparing restatements can reveal perspectives and issues we otherwise might overlook.