021 Problem Framing

Problem Framing

Guide production of a Problem statement, Current state, Desired state, Stakeholders, and Success criteria for a problem or issue under exploration. This is an interactive SKILL.

What is covered in this Skill?

• Stating the problem independently of any specific solution
• Describing the current state using observable facts
• Describing the desired state as an outcome, not an implementation mechanism
• Identifying stakeholders affected by, accountable for, or informed about the problem
• Defining success criteria that make problem resolution verifiable
• Feeding a clarified problem frame into 022-root-cause-analysis and the remaining Functional Specification lenses

Constraints

Frame the problem before any deeper analysis. When this technique is orchestrated by another workflow, the orchestrator owns clarifying-question sequencing; when applied standalone, ask directly.

• MUST read references/021-problem-framing.md before applying Problem Framing guidance
• MUST state the problem independently of any specific solution, technology, or implementation
• MUST describe the current state using observable facts, not opinions or assumed causes
• MUST describe the desired state as an outcome or capability, not a specific mechanism
• MUST identify stakeholders affected by, accountable for, or informed about the problem, not only the requester
• MUST define success criteria that are observable or measurable
• MUST NOT invent a problem statement, state, stakeholder, or success criterion when the available content is vague or ambiguous; flag the gap for a clarifying question instead

When to use this skill

• Frame this problem before deeper analysis
• Apply problem framing to this issue
• Establish the problem statement, current state, and desired state
• Identify stakeholders and success criteria for this problem
• Draft the Problem Framing section of a Functional Specification

Workflow

1. Read the Reference

Read references/021-problem-framing.md, then identify what evidence is already available for the problem statement, current state, desired state, stakeholders, and success criteria.

2. Separate the Problem from any Solution

Strip out wording that already assumes a fix, technology, or implementation, and restate the gap in observable terms.

3. Describe Current and Desired State

Describe the current state as observable facts and the desired state as a target outcome or capability.

4. Identify Stakeholders and Success Criteria

List stakeholders affected by, accountable for, or informed about the problem, then define observable or measurable success criteria.

5. Report the Problem Frame

Report the Problem statement, Current state, Desired state, Stakeholders, and Success criteria, and flag any field left open pending a clarifying answer.

Reference

For detailed guidance, examples, and constraints, see references/021-problem-framing.md.