Problem Statement Canvas
Defines problem, root causes, and opportunity.
PURPOSE
Many teams start problem-solving with an imprecise or distorted problem definition, leading to ineffective solutions. The Problem Statement Canvas helps precisely define a problem and identify its root causes. It ensures the team actually works on the right problem before resources flow into solution development.
HOW TO USE
The team collaboratively develops a precise problem statement and systematically identifies root causes and affected stakeholders. Then the opportunity resulting from solving the problem is evaluated. The canvas is used as a shared reference to maintain focus throughout the solution process.
WHAT IT IS
The Problem Statement Canvas is a visual tool by Intrapreneur Nation for structured problem definition. It includes fields for the problem description, root causes, affected target groups, impacts, and the resulting opportunity. The canvas format leads teams systematically from problem recognition to opportunity identification.
EXAMPLE
Example: Your team is supposed to reduce high employee turnover, but everyone has a different idea of what the actual problem is – poor pay, missing career paths, or toxic team culture. With the Problem Statement Canvas, you collectively define the problem, identify root causes, and formulate a clear opportunity. This way, everyone works from the same problem definition.