Table of contents
Table of contents
Turn challenges into solutions with these problem statement examples
Page Summary
In this guide, you’ll discover:
What a problem statement is
The qualities that make a strong problem statement
When and why you should use one
Templates to get you started
Real-world problem statement examples
Let's talk about a phrase every product team knows but doesn't always love: the problem statement. Crafting a good one can feel a bit like trying to nail jelly to a wall — it's tricky, but when you get it right, everything just clicks.
Whether you're designing your next big product or refining an existing one, a killer problem statement will guide your team like a North Star.
Let's dive in and check out some standout problem statement examples you can steal (or at least borrow ideas from).
What is a problem statement, anyway?
You've probably heard the term a dozen times in brainstorming sessions, but let's nail down the definition. A problem statement is your team's way of clearly defining the challenge you're solving for your customers. It's not about what you want to build; it's about what your users need.
What is a good problem statement?
A great problem statement does three things:
Identifies the customer's pain point: What's not working for them right now?
Focuses on outcomes: What change do you want to see after you solve the problem?
Keeps your team aligned: Everyone works toward the same goal instead of going rogue.
Think of problem statements as the bridge between insight and action. The better your problem statement, the smoother the path to a killer product solution.
What does a good problem statement look like?
A strong problem statement captures the core challenge without jumping straight to the solution. Instead of prescribing what the business thinks it needs, it frames the problem from the customer’s perspective and highlights the gap between the current reality and the desired outcome.
A good problem statement should:
Be concise and clear by avoiding unnecessary jargon or detail that distracts from the main issue.
Stay rooted in the customer experience by describing the friction, frustration, or limitation the user faces.
Avoid assumptions about the solution by focusing on what the problem is, not how it should be solved.
Highlight the impact by explaining why the problem matters, whether it’s lost productivity, financial stress, or missed opportunities.
For example, saying “we need a new customer app” frames the issue as a solution, not a problem. A stronger statement would be: “Customers struggle to track expenses on the go, leading to missed payments and financial stress.” This approach not only communicates the problem clearly but also leaves room for a range of creative solutions, whether that’s an app, an integration, or an enhancement to an existing platform.
When to use a problem statement
Problem statements should be used before you start considering solutions, obviously. You and your team should first understand and agree on what the problem is before you start writing your problem statement.
Here are some instances where a problem statement is beneficial:
Writing executive summaries.
Collaborating on a cross-functional project.
Defining a customer issue that product development aims to solve.
Tackling a problem that previous solutions couldn’t solve.
A simple problem statement template from our library
Need a starting point? Good news: You don't have to reinvent the wheel. Miro's customer problem statement template is here to make things easy. This classic template walks you through crafting a statement that's clear, concise, and laser-focused on customer needs.
Customer problem statement template
Miro’s Customer Problem Statement Template simplifies the process of understanding your customer’s challenges and crafting a focused problem statement. The template is structured into five intuitive quadrants, each designed to guide you step-by-step toward uncovering key insights about your customer’s needs:
I am… Define who your customer is. Are they a young professional, a team leader, or a freelancer? This quadrant helps you identify your customer’s identity and context.
I’m trying to… Pinpoint what your customer is trying to achieve. Are they working toward a specific goal, like boosting productivity or managing their time better?
But… Outline the obstacles they’re facing. What’s preventing them from reaching their goal? Maybe it’s a lack of resources, tools, or clarity.
Because… Get to the root cause of their challenge. Why is this obstacle in their way? This step helps you dig deeper into their frustrations.
Which makes me feel… Capture how this challenge impacts their emotions. Frustrated? Overwhelmed? Empowering your customer starts with understanding how they feel and why.
By filling out each quadrant, you’ll create a clear, actionable customer problem statement that guides your team’s product development or solution design. Perfect for real-time or asynchronous collaboration, this template helps teams stay aligned and customer-focused, no matter where they are.
Problem statement examples from our community
When it comes to inspiration, our Miroverse community has your back. We know how hard it can be to get started, so examples of problem statements are always helpful.
Check out these real-world problem statement examples and frameworks that teams like yours have used to solve big challenges.
Problem statement by Design Thinking at HP
HP's problem statement template brings a structured yet flexible approach to problem-solving. It focuses on breaking big problems into actionable steps, helping teams tackle them collaboratively. The key? Empathy-driven insights that center on the user.
Try it in Miro: Map out user pain points with sticky notes, then visually cluster related ideas using Miro's AI for insights.
Problem statement workshop by DSA
This problem statement workshop template isn't just a worksheet—it's a full-on workshop in a box. Created for teams to collaboratively define and refine problem statements, it emphasizes structured brainstorming and group alignment.
Pro tip: Use Miro's real-time collaboration features to let everyone contribute ideas, no matter where they are. Add kanban widgets or tables to track tasks as your statement evolves.
HMW problem statement template
"How might we…" is a simple yet powerful way to frame challenges creatively. This template helps you flip problems into possibilities.
Example: Instead of "Users hate long checkout processes," ask, "How might we make online checkout faster and more enjoyable?"
Use sticky notes in Miro to brainstorm solutions, then rank them using Miro AI to find the most promising ideas.
Other frameworks to help you build your problem statement
Ready to explore beyond templates? Having a defined problem statement format can help you save time and know exactly what information you need to get started.
These problem statement frameworks add a fresh spin to problem-solving.
The 5 Whys
Sometimes, the best solutions start with asking "why"—and then asking it four more times. The 5 Whys framework helps you dig deep into the root cause of a problem, guiding your team through a process to narrow down the issue until a solution is found.
This framework can be applied to many different problems and used alongside problem statement examples and templates, which can really jumpstart your problem-solving process.
In Miro: Use one of our 5 Whys templates to organize your insights visually. Start with the problem, then drill down step by step.
Reverse brainstorming
When traditional brainstorming feels stale, flip the script. Reverse brainstorming asks, "How could we make the problem worse?" This creative exercise can surface surprising insights and help teams see blind spots.
Reverse brainstorming changes thinking patterns, enabling teams to focus on prevention and produce innovative solutions. It’s a great problem-solving tool for many use cases, including marketing, sales, customer service, and internal team support.
Miro's reverse brainstorming template makes it simple to jot down these "anti-solutions" and pivot to practical fixes.
Build better products with Miro
Crafting a problem statement can sometimes feel overwhelming—like staring at a blank canvas and not knowing where to start. That's where Miro shines.
Our innovation workspace is purpose-built to take the guesswork out of the process, offering the tools and templates you need to move from scattered ideas to a clear, actionable problem statement. Let's break down exactly how Miro helps teams craft their best work, step by step.
Visual collaboration: clarity in every step
Miro's visual tools make it easier to map out and refine your thoughts collaboratively. Whether you're starting with our customer problem statement template or diving into frameworks like 5 whys or reverse brainstorming, Miro turns abstract ideas into visual clarity. Here's how:
Problem statement templates tailored for teams: Templates like the customer problem statement template are ready-made starting points that save you time and ensure your problem statement stays user-focused. Simply plug in your insights, and you're halfway there.
Sticky notes for brainstorming: With Miro's digital sticky notes, you can replicate the feel of an in-person workshop—minus the mess of Post-it notes all over the walls. Use them to gather team input, organize feedback, or cluster related ideas into themes.
Miro AI for insights: Let's face it, narrowing down ideas can be tough. Miro AI helps you cut through the noise by identifying patterns and prioritizing what matters most. It's like having a superpowered assistant that gets your team on the same page faster.
Iterate quickly with widgets and tools
Crafting a great problem statement often requires a few rounds of iteration. With Miro, you can tweak and refine ideas effortlessly using:
Tables and grids to organize details and add structure to your brainstorming process.
Kanban boards for tracking revisions and ensuring alignment across your team.
Collaborative commenting so team members can provide specific, actionable feedback right on the board.
Everything you need, all in one place
What sets Miro apart is that it's not just a tool, it's your entire workspace for innovation. From capturing initial user pain points to finalizing a polished problem statement, Miro keeps your team aligned and your process streamlined. No jumping between tools, no losing track of ideas—just a smooth, collaborative experience that helps you focus on what matters: building solutions that solve real customer needs.
So, whether you're a designer leading a Design Thinking workshop or a product manager refining your backlog, Miro gives you the tools to not just craft a problem statement—but to craft the right one. Ready to get started? Open up one of our customer problem statement templates today, and let's solve some big challenges together.
How Social Finance succeeded with Miro
Social Finance works on some of the UK’s toughest social challenges, including supporting young adults leaving foster care. But aligning government, nonprofits, and legal partners made it difficult to define problems clearly and move toward solutions.
Using Miro, they framed complex issues in ways all stakeholders could understand. They were able to hold research synthesis, prototyping, and collaborative workshops in a single space - both remotely and in person.
This clarity helped them develop Leaving Well, a mobile app that collects valuable data from young adults leaving care while supporting their transition.
The results led to Social Finance piloting Leaving Well across seven authorities, improved collaboration with partners, and built digital capabilities to make their problem-solving more agile.
“Miro’s a tool that enables a way of thinking and a way of presenting your process and output internally.”
Meg Brodie, Product Manager at Social Finance
Read the full case study here.
Problem statement FAQs
What is the best format for a problem statement?
The most effective problem statement format includes four key elements: context, the problem, its impact, and success criteria. Using this structure makes it easy for stakeholders to understand the issue and measure whether solutions are addressing it.
How does Miro help my team collaborate on problem statements?
Miro makes it easy to co-create and refine problem statements in one shared workspace. Your team can brainstorm ideas on the canvas, cluster insights with Miro AI, leave comments, or record a Talktrack to share feedback asynchronously.
Where can I find problem statement examples or templates?
In Miroverse, our community-driven library, you can find thousands of templates, including problem statement examples that can be used to spark your creativity.
Can Miro handle large problem statement projects?
Yes, Miro is completely scalable, making it easy to manage large and complex initiatives. You can start by drafting a single problem statement before expanding into frameworks, ideation, prototyping, and delivery - all in the same workspace.
Author: Miro Team
Last update: October 20, 2025
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