Problem Statement Builder

Problem Statement Builder

Purpose

Transform a raw problem hypothesis into a structured, testable Problem Statement using Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD) framing.

Input: Problem hypothesis, target user context, evidence (optional) Output: Problem Statement document with JTBD frame, success criteria, and scope boundaries Examples: See [examples.md](examples.md) for worked input/output.

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Workflow

Step 1: Extract problem signals

Gather:

• Who experiences the problem (user segment)
• When/where the problem occurs (context)
• Current workaround (how they cope today)
• Cost of the problem (time, money, risk, emotion)
• Evidence source (interviews, data, observation)

Step 2: Apply JTBD framing

Structure the problem as:

When [situation] I want to [motivation] so I can [expected outcome]

Identify:

• Functional job (task to complete)
• Emotional job (how they want to feel)
• Social job (how they want to be perceived)

Step 3: Define problem boundaries

Specify:

• In scope: what this problem statement covers
• Out of scope: adjacent problems explicitly excluded
• Root cause vs symptom: flag if current framing may be a symptom

Step 4: Write success criteria

Define measurable indicators that the problem is solved:

• Leading indicators (behavior change)
• Lagging indicators (outcome metrics)
• Minimum viable improvement (what "good enough" looks like)

Step 5: Validate

Run Validation checklist.

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Decision Rules

| Condition | Action | |-----------|--------| | Problem describes a solution, not a need | Reframe from solution to underlying job | | Multiple unrelated problems in input | Split into separate problem statements; complete one | | No target user specified | Stop; request user segment | | Problem is a symptom | Add "Root Cause Hypothesis" section; flag for discovery | | Success criteria are not measurable | Rewrite with specific metrics or observable behaviors |

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Validation

• [ ] JTBD sentence follows When/Want/So format
• [ ] Functional, emotional, and social jobs identified
• [ ] In-scope and out-of-scope boundaries defined
• [ ] At least 2 measurable success criteria
• [ ] Current workaround documented
• [ ] Cost of problem articulated
• [ ] No solution embedded in problem statement

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Anti-patterns

• Solution disguised as problem — "Users need an AI dashboard" instead of the underlying job.
• Vague pain — "Users are frustrated" without specific context or cost.
• Everyone's problem — no specific segment or situation.
• Unmeasurable success — "better experience" without criteria.
• Ignoring workarounds — not documenting how users cope today.

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Best Practices

• Quote user language when evidence is available.
• Quantify cost of problem where possible (hours/week, error rate, churn).
• Separate problem statement from proposed solution entirely.
• Link to Idea Validation Report if available from prior Skill.
• Flag assumptions that need user research validation.

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Output Structure

# Problem Statement: [Short Title]

## JTBD Frame
**When** ... **I want to** ... **so I can** ...

## Job Types
| Type | Job |
|------|-----|
| Functional | |
| Emotional | |
| Social | |

## Problem Details
- **Who:** [segment]
- **Context:** [when/where]
- **Current workaround:** [how they cope]
- **Cost of problem:** [quantified if possible]

## Scope
- **In scope:**
- **Out of scope:**

## Success Criteria
| Criterion | Type | Target |
|-----------|------|--------|

## Root Cause Hypothesis
[If symptom detected]

## Assumptions
- [ ] [Assumption needing validation]

## Evidence
| Source | Finding |
|--------|---------|

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Next Skills

| Outcome | Recommended Skill | |---------|-------------------| | Need user segment detail | product/persona-generator | | Problem validated, ready for vision | product/product-vision-builder | | Multiple solutions to compare | product/feature-prioritization | | Ready for requirements | product/prd-generator |

Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: patonkikh
• Source: patonkikh/APES
• License: MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.