Understanding the problem

Problem framing is the first step in the design thinking process that helps participants understand the problem they are trying to solve while determining what part of the problem to focus on. In the preparation phase, participants are encouraged to respond to this question individually. They are tasked with identifying the part of the problem they seek to solve and why it matters to them. When participants connect a problem to their own lived experience, they are more motivated to engage in the process.

Individual reflection before group sharing deepens understanding and mitigates the risk of groupthink, while preventing premature solution jumping.

Participants meet with their team members and participate in a problem framing activity where they share three ways they understand the problem and why they believe the problem exists to begin with. As they share their perspectives, they are tasked with grouping similar ideas together and identifying common themes. At the end of the activity, the team should have developed a shared understanding of the problem landscape and have selected a specific direction they wish to pursue together.