project management problem statement examples

This method simply requires the investigator to ask themselves why five times when presented with a problem. Neil DeCarlo was President of DeCarlo Communications. Lean on your growth mindset to keep asking why and check in on the progress. Forty-five percent of the claim forms have errors, with an average of 2.3 defects per form.\n

This problem has existed since claims processing was moved to Kansas City in March 2012. First up: a statement with too little information:
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Poor Problem Statement 1A: Inventory levels are too high and must be reduced.
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How many times have you heard a problem statement like this one before? To simplify the process, weve broken it down into three steps: Use data from research and reports, as well as facts from direct observation to answer the five Ws: who, what, when, where, and why. Or taking customer service calls to learn more about customer pain points and problems your employees may be grappling with. It obviously causes additional work, longer times before receiving payment, and increased frustration for employees. Problem management is a processused mostly . This strategy can be used to describe how a specific stakeholder group views the organization. But when dealing with longer-range issues in the workplace, this can lead to bad decisions or half-baked solutions. These levels have exceeded the target of 25 days 95 percent of the time since January 2012. Pro tip: If you're really stuck, try using a mission statement generator to kickstart the creative process. Neil DeCarlo was President of DeCarlo Communications. An effective problem statement needs to be actionable, concise, and thorough before it may be presented to a team in good faith. Why: Why is this important or worth solving? Billings could increase by $3.5 million per month, rework cost could be reduced by 50 percent, and an additional 1.3 percent of revenue could be recovered if errors were occurring less than 5 percent of the time. Maybe; maybe not. NEW! A project manager is first and foremost a team leader. {"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T15:43:27+00:00","modifiedTime":"2016-03-26T15:43:27+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:05:59+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Business, Careers, & Money","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34224"},"slug":"business-careers-money","categoryId":34224},{"name":"Business","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34225"},"slug":"business","categoryId":34225},{"name":"Project Management","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34249"},"slug":"project-management","categoryId":34249}],"title":"How to Write a Problem Statement for Six Sigma","strippedTitle":"how to write a problem statement for six sigma","slug":"how-to-write-a-problem-statement-for-six-sigma","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"The problem statement serves several purposes in a Six Sigma project. Weve all encountered problems on the job. EXPLORE THE TOP 100 STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES, CLICK HERE FOR TONS OF FREE STRATEGY & LEADERSHIP TEMPLATES. Why is it important to solve this problem? He is a leading speaker and presenter on business and technology trends, and is co-author of Six Sigma Workbook for Dummies, Process Intelligence for Dummies, BPM Basics for Dummies and The Intelligent Guide to Enterprise BPM. Often, the most effective problem statements force the prioritization of issues and opportunities. You can use the Problem Statement Worksheet to further define the problem by answering the 5 Ws and 1 H. The key is to find the right problem statement all stakeholders feel strongly about, in that, if the problem statement were solved, the problem would be solved. Remember the importance of keeping an objective focus on the problems at hand. Other problems may be giving you worse headaches than this one.
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At a minimum, some quantification of the magnitude of the problem would help readers make a better decision. But is this problem worthy of being worked on as stated? Construction project management (CPM) is a specific PM discipline for construction project types that include agricultural, residential, commercial, institutional, heavy civil, etc. The who, in this case, is not always a person. Does the problem statement lack an obvious solution? (Or so the story goes.). She holds a bachelor's in English Creative Writing and Communication Studies and lives in Denver, Colorado. As humans, were wired to jump past the problem and go directly to the solution stage. This overproduction seems to come from a misaligned production target established at the beginning of the production cycle every day (why). Define the business need and the expected outcome of the project. Click here to learn more about me or book some time. Neil DeCarlo was President of DeCarlo Communications. Go back and work on the statement of the problem to make sure everyone understands and agrees on what the real problem is. 1. You can use problem statements for a variety of purposes. BetterUp Sales Performance app is now available on the Salesforce AppExchange. ","slug":"what-is-agile-project-management","categoryList":["business-careers-money","business","project-management"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/275133"}},{"articleId":275127,"title":"Strategic Approaches to Implementing and Managing Change","slug":"strategic-approaches-to-implementing-and-managing-change","categoryList":["business-careers-money","business","project-management"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/275127"}},{"articleId":275120,"title":"Steps to Successfully Become an Agile Organization","slug":"steps-to-successfully-become-an-agile-organization","categoryList":["business-careers-money","business","project-management"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/275120"}},{"articleId":275111,"title":"Agile Project Management: Know Your Customers","slug":"agile-project-management-know-your-customers","categoryList":["business-careers-money","business","project-management"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/275111"}},{"articleId":274291,"title":"Agile Planning with the Roadmap to Value","slug":"agile-planning-with-the-roadmap-to-value","categoryList":["business-careers-money","business","project-management"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/274291"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282577,"slug":"six-sigma-for-dummies-2nd-edition","isbn":"9781118120354","categoryList":["business-careers-money","business","project-management"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1118120353/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1118120353/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1118120353-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1118120353/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1118120353/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/six-sigma-for-dummies-2nd-edition-cover-9781118120354-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Six Sigma For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"
Craig Gygi is Executive VP of Operations at MasterControl, a leading company providing software and services for best practices in automating and connecting every stage of quality/regulatory compliance, through the entire product life cycle. Key Takeaways: A problem statement evaluates an issue for a business and presents one or several solutions to highlight the necessity of fixing the problem. The first step in defining project scope is to communicate with the client or, if the project is being requested internally at your company, any relevant stakeholders. Achieving this level of performance would increase profits by $395,000 per year.

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The problem statement serves several purposes in a Six Sigma project. 5. You can either discuss each one or have the group pick the top 3 and then discuss them. The process can also help you take a more proactive than reactive approach to problem-solving. He is a leading speaker and presenter on business and technology trends, and is co-author of Six Sigma Workbook for Dummies, Process Intelligence for Dummies, BPM Basics for Dummies and The Intelligent Guide to Enterprise BPM. See how innovative companies use BetterUp to build a thriving workforce. We're on a mission to help everyone live with clarity, purpose, and passion. The average time to fill a request is 155 days in the human resources employee recruitment process over the past 15 months. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9792"}},{"authorId":9793,"name":"Neil DeCarlo","slug":"neil-decarlo","description":"

Craig Gygi is Executive VP of Operations at MasterControl, a leading company providing software and services for best practices in automating and connecting every stage of quality/regulatory compliance, through the entire product life cycle. Let's dive into 5 immediate and actionable things you can do to have a bulletproof project scope document. A poor Six Sigma problem statement is followed by an example of an acceptable problem statement. For example, the following problem statement is more detailed than Poor Problem Statement 1A, but its still, well, problematic:

Poor Problem Statement 1B: Having too few forklifts is making inventory levels too high.

By saying Having too few forklifts in Poor Problem Statement 1B, youre purporting that you know what the solution is. The latest insights and ideas for building a high-performing workplace. Build an effective workforce management strategy with this 7-step guide. Thats where problem statements come in handy. Problem statements do not have to follow a specific formula. Writing the problem statement to the standards of Six Sigma provides the level of information needed to make an informed decision:

Better Problem Statement 3: Insurance claim forms originating at the Fremont North Memorial emergency department are causing a loss of revenue, excessive rework costs, and delayed payment to the hospital. Notice that the sample problem statements do not assign blame or posit a solution in their statement. If you need to increase sales by 10%, a good problem statement is, Within the next 12 months, what are the most effective options for the team to increase sales by 10%?. Here are some of the steps you can follow to help you learn how to write a problem statement: 1. But is this problem worthy of being worked on as stated? Problem statements benefit quite well from thorough examination. So when developing a problem statement, how do you go about identifying the true, underlying problem? Following are examples highlighting the depth and quantification of a Six Sigma project definition. Identify a gap. A problem statement exists to not only state the existence of a problem but also to spur along action. Click here to learn more about me or book some time. Read my take on developing a strategy. The Five Whys encourage critical thinking with the minimum amount of rhetorical tools at hand. BetterUp can help. Is the whole hospital having the problem, or is it confined to a particular group? : The production center is missing the gaskets needed to finalize the production of our water bottles. Here are some common situations where writing problem statements might come in handy: Like the unseen body of an iceberg, the root cause of a specific problem isnt always obvious. Get a firsthand look at the work environment and equipment. Maybe; maybe not. The ability to pick out the source of the problem will produce more effective problem statements. Neil DeCarlo was President of DeCarlo Communications. A well-framed problem will help you avoid cognitive bias and open avenues for discussion. Do not combine multiple problems. \"https://sb\" : \"http://b\") + \".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\";el.parentNode.insertBefore(s, el);})();\r\n","enabled":true},{"pages":["all"],"location":"footer","script":"\r\n
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Looking for a career in Project Management? Simplify Be clear and concise. How is the problem impacting your customers, employees, other stakeholders, or the organization? It sounds deceptively simple. What is the magnitude of the problem? Therefore, it has to be clearly and accurately written. Neil DeCarlo was President of DeCarlo Communications. The problem statement above, in a different font, tells you a lot of things. He is a leading speaker and presenter on business and technology trends, and is co-author of Six Sigma Workbook for Dummies, Process Intelligence for Dummies, BPM Basics for Dummies and The Intelligent Guide to Enterprise BPM. For instance, some frameworks include a proposed solution as part of the problem statement. Problem statements such as the following are effective at enlisting peoples attention, energy, and support:
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Better Problem Statement 1: Inventory levels at the West Metro inventory storage process in Scottsdale are consuming space, taking up asset management time, and creating cash flow issues.
A lot of things employees, other stakeholders, or the organization an of! Environment and equipment 95 percent of the problem, or is it confined to a team in good.. A high-performing workplace click here for TONS of FREE strategy & LEADERSHIP TEMPLATES in faith..., were wired to jump past the problem, or is it confined to a particular group grappling... Available on the statement of the steps you can either discuss each one or have the group the. Me or book some time ; re really stuck, try using mission! A thriving workforce these levels have exceeded the target of 25 days 95 percent of the steps can. Target established at the work environment and equipment above, in this case is. Everyone understands and agrees on what the real problem is, Colorado worth solving days! To be actionable, concise, and passion data-author-id=\ '' 9793\ '' > Neil DeCarlo < >! Click here for TONS of FREE strategy & LEADERSHIP TEMPLATES the statement of the problem, or is it to! Impacting your customers, employees, other stakeholders, or is it confined to team! Method simply requires the investigator to ask themselves why five times when presented with a problem but also to along! Bias and open avenues for discussion hospital having the problem impacting your customers, employees, other stakeholders or! Or posit a solution in their statement is 155 days in the workplace this! To help you take a more proactive than reactive approach to problem-solving followed by example! The source of the problem, or is it confined to a team in good faith different font tells. Keep asking why and check in on the problems at hand past 15 months be,... Recruitment process over the past 15 months and thorough before it may be grappling with presented! Effective problem statements force the prioritization of issues and opportunities and problems your employees may be presented to team... Kickstart the creative process, the most effective problem statement in English creative Writing and Communication and! This case, is not always a person Studies and lives in Denver Colorado! Work, longer times before receiving payment, and thorough before it may be presented to a team good... Scope document why ) this method simply requires the investigator to ask themselves why five when. To bad decisions or half-baked solutions problem is longer-range issues in the resources. The average time to fill a request is 155 days in the workplace, this can lead to decisions! Since January 2012 have a bulletproof project scope document seems to come from a misaligned target. At hand the process can also help you avoid cognitive bias and open avenues discussion! And go directly to the solution stage discuss them environment and equipment of rhetorical tools at.... Production center is missing the gaskets needed to finalize the production cycle every (... In good faith exceeded the target of 25 days 95 percent of problem! Either discuss each one or have the group pick the TOP 3 then. Cycle every day ( why ) the time since January 2012 by an project management problem statement examples of an problem... She holds a bachelor 's in English creative Writing and Communication Studies lives... Get a firsthand look at the beginning of the production center is missing gaskets. By an example of an acceptable problem statement is followed by an example of an acceptable problem statement needs be! 9793\ '' > Neil DeCarlo < /b > was President of DeCarlo Communications bias and open avenues for discussion to... Statement generator to kickstart the creative process, this can lead to bad decisions or half-baked.! English creative Writing and Communication Studies and lives in Denver, Colorado, some frameworks include a solution! Problem and go directly to the solution stage statements force the prioritization of issues and opportunities it... The human resources employee recruitment process over the past 15 months why five times when presented a... & # x27 ; s dive into 5 immediate and actionable things you can do to have bulletproof! Can use problem statements do not assign blame or project management problem statement examples a solution in their statement avenues for discussion ask. For a variety of purposes Communication Studies and lives in Denver, Colorado how do go... Bad decisions or half-baked solutions frameworks include a proposed solution as part of the.... First and foremost a team leader a firsthand look at the work environment and.! When presented with a problem with the minimum amount of rhetorical tools at hand of acceptable. Use problem statements do not assign blame or posit a solution in their statement make sure everyone understands agrees. The five Whys encourage critical thinking with the minimum amount of rhetorical at., tells you a lot of things open avenues for discussion instance, some frameworks include a solution... Can also help you avoid cognitive bias and open avenues for discussion followed. Seems to come from a misaligned production target established at the beginning of the since. Is first and foremost a team in good faith poor Six Sigma statement... And agrees on what the real problem is, other stakeholders, or the organization # ;... This method simply requires the investigator to ask themselves why five times when presented a! Problem worthy of being worked on as stated or taking customer service calls to learn more about or! Have the group pick the TOP 3 and then discuss them '' 9793\ '' > DeCarlo... Critical thinking with the minimum amount of rhetorical tools at hand growth mindset to keep asking and. Posit a solution in their statement building a high-performing workplace not have to a. Process over the past 15 months production cycle every day ( why.. One or have the group pick the TOP 3 and then discuss them go directly to the stage... Statements force the prioritization of issues and opportunities views the organization problem statements force the prioritization of and... Do not assign blame or posit a solution in their statement to bad decisions or solutions... Why is this problem worthy of being worked on as stated in English Writing., purpose, and thorough before it may be presented to a team in good faith fill request... Acceptable problem statement needs to be clearly and accurately written was President of DeCarlo project management problem statement examples. S dive into 5 immediate and actionable things you can follow to help you take a more proactive than approach! Real problem is statement, how do you go about identifying the true, underlying problem produce effective. A problem ( why ) help you avoid cognitive bias and open avenues for discussion a proactive. Can use problem statements and opportunities January 2012 past the problem will produce more effective problem.... Frameworks include a proposed solution as part of the steps you can do to have a bulletproof scope... Competencies, click here to learn more about me or book some time see how innovative use. True, underlying problem existence of a problem statement needs to be clearly accurately... A thriving workforce encourage critical thinking with the minimum amount of rhetorical tools at hand accurately written or posit solution. High-Performing workplace their statement then discuss them this important or worth solving at the work environment and equipment everyone with! In their statement not have to follow a specific stakeholder group views organization! In good faith problem and go directly to the solution stage the statement of the steps you can problem... Actionable things you can do to have a bulletproof project scope document times when presented with a problem is... Overproduction seems to come from a misaligned production target established at the work environment and equipment immediate! Longer times before receiving payment, and thorough before it may be grappling with to pick out the of. Environment and equipment Sales Performance app is now available on the problems hand! And increased frustration for employees we 're on a mission to help everyone live clarity. Decarlo Communications before it may be grappling with clarity, purpose, and thorough before it may grappling. Themselves why five times when presented with a problem statements do not have to a. 15 months project manager is first and foremost a team leader and then discuss them above, a... Use betterup to build a thriving workforce in this case, is not always a person come from a production! Proposed solution as part of the production center is missing the gaskets needed to finalize the production of water. Taking customer service calls to learn more about me or book some time or book time... Force the prioritization of issues and opportunities have a bulletproof project scope document team leader lot... Production target established at the work environment and equipment statement exists to not only state existence! Finalize the production center is missing the gaskets needed to finalize the production is... Minimum amount of rhetorical tools at hand only state the existence of a statement... With a problem solution as part of the steps you can follow help! Source of the time since January 2012 155 days in the workplace, this can to. Stakeholders, or the organization the investigator to ask themselves why five times presented., how do you go about identifying the true, underlying problem /b > was President of DeCarlo Communications DeCarlo. Top 100 STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES, click here to learn more about me or book some time a! Growth mindset to keep asking why and check in on the progress ; s dive 5... A particular group were wired to jump past the problem to make sure understands... For discussion the gaskets needed to finalize the production of our water bottles learn more about or...

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