How do I install the Problem Framing skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/problem-framing in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

Is Problem Framing safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Problem Framing?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Problem Framing free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Problem Framing?

tomevault-io (@tomevault-io) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Problem Framing by tomevault-io — Agent Skill

Name: Problem Framing
Author: tomevault-io

File contents

Problem Framing Skill

Frame problems effectively using Jobs-to-be-Done, How Might We questions, and persona validation from Notion.

When to Use

At the start of DIVERGE loop (Ask mode)
When exploring a new feature or problem space
Before ideation to ensure clear problem definition

Instructions

Phase 1: Job Story Definition

Create a Job Story in this format:

When [situation/context],
I want to [motivation/action],
So I can [expected outcome/benefit].

Example:

When I'm managing multiple client workspaces,
I want to switch between them quickly,
So I can respond to urgent requests without losing context.

Phase 2: How Might We (HMW) Question

Reframe the problem as an opportunity question:

How might we [opportunity that addresses the job story]?

Guidelines:

Start broad, then narrow if needed
Avoid suggesting solutions in the question
Focus on the user's goal, not the feature

Example:

How might we help users navigate between workspaces seamlessly?

Phase 3: Persona Lookup (Notion MCP)

Fetch relevant personas from Notion database:

Search for personas database:

API-post-search with query "Personas" or "User Personas"

Query the database:

API-query-data-source with database_id from search results

Get persona details:

API-retrieve-a-page + API-get-block-children for each relevant persona

Extract these fields:

Name
Role / Job Title
Goals (what they want to achieve)
Pain Points (what frustrates them)
Context (environment, constraints)

Phase 4: Three Dimensions Check

Validate the problem addresses all three job dimensions:

Dimension	Question	Example
Functional	What task are they completing?	"Switch between workspaces"
Emotional	How do they want to feel?	"In control, not overwhelmed"
Social	How do they want to be perceived?	"Responsive, professional"

Output Format

After running this skill, output:

## Problem Framing

### Job Story
When [situation],
I want to [motivation],
So I can [outcome].

### How Might We
How might we [opportunity]?

### Relevant Personas

| Persona | Role | Goals | Pain Points |
|---------|------|-------|-------------|
| [Name] | [Role] | [Goals] | [Pain Points] |

### Three Dimensions

| Dimension | Definition |
|-----------|------------|
| Functional | [Task] |
| Emotional | [Feeling] |
| Social | [Perception] |

Invocation

Invoke manually with "use problem-framing skill" or follow Ask mode DIVERGE loop which references this skill's phases.

Related Skills

design-context - Run after problem-framing
competitor-scan - Research how others solve this problem

Converted and distributed by TomeVault — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.

---name: problem-framingdescription: Frame problems using JTBD Job Stories, HMW questions, and persona validation Use when this capability is needed.---# Problem Framing SkillFrame problems effectively using Jobs-to-be-Done, How Might We questions, and persona validation from Notion.## When to Use- At the start of DIVERGE loop (Ask mode)- When exploring a new feature or problem space- Before ideation to ensure clear problem definition## Instructions### Phase 1: Job Story DefinitionCreate a Job Story in this format:```When [situation/context],I want to [motivation/action],So I can [expected outcome/benefit].```**Example:**```When I'm managing multiple client workspaces,I want to switch between them quickly,So I can respond to urgent requests without losing context.```### Phase 2: How Might We (HMW) QuestionReframe the problem as an opportunity question:```How might we [opportunity that addresses the job story]?```**Guidelines:**- Start broad, then narrow if needed- Avoid suggesting solutions in the question- Focus on the user's goal, not the feature**Example:**```How might we help users navigate between workspaces seamlessly?```### Phase 3: Persona Lookup (Notion MCP)Fetch relevant personas from Notion database:1. **Search for personas database:** ``` API-post-search with query "Personas" or "User Personas" ```2. **Query the database:** ``` API-query-data-source with database_id from search results ```3. **Get persona details:** ``` API-retrieve-a-page + API-get-block-children for each relevant persona ```**Extract these fields:**- Name- Role / Job Title- Goals (what they want to achieve)- Pain Points (what frustrates them)- Context (environment, constraints)### Phase 4: Three Dimensions CheckValidate the problem addresses all three job dimensions:| Dimension | Question | Example ||-----------|----------|---------|| **Functional** | What task are they completing? | "Switch between workspaces" || **Emotional** | How do they want to feel? | "In control, not overwhelmed" || **Social** | How do they want to be perceived? | "Responsive, professional" |## Output FormatAfter running this skill, output:```markdown## Problem Framing### Job StoryWhen [situation],I want to [motivation],So I can [outcome].### How Might WeHow might we [opportunity]?### Relevant Personas| Persona | Role | Goals | Pain Points ||---------|------|-------|-------------|| [Name] | [Role] | [Goals] | [Pain Points] |### Three Dimensions| Dimension | Definition ||-----------|------------|| Functional | [Task] || Emotional | [Feeling] || Social | [Perception] |```## InvocationInvoke manually with "use problem-framing skill" or follow Ask mode DIVERGE loop which references this skill's phases.## Related Skills- `design-context` - Run after problem-framing- `competitor-scan` - Research how others solve this problem---> Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/wellapp-ai) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.

Frequently asked questions

Problem Framing