Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: How to Gather Information about the Problem
• Part 2 of 3: Putting the Problem into Words
• Part 3 of 3: How to Find a Solution

People face challenges in their personal, professional and social life. Any of them can be unsettling, but trying to articulate the essence often helps to find a solution. First, gather information about the problem. Next, try to express the essence of the problem in words. Finally, analyze the wording to find possible solutions.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: How to Gather Information about the Problem

1. 1 Ask the question “Why?"To get to the point. The question "Why?" will help you better understand the essence of the problem. Keep asking this question until there is nothing more to add. This approach works in group discussions, but a single brainstorming session should also work.
   • For example, if you are looking for a new apartment, then you need to start with the question: “Why do I need a new apartment? The reason is that my neighbor is leaving, I cannot find a new neighbor and I cannot afford such an apartment on my own. "
   • To find information about children who are starving, you can follow this line of thought: Why do children go hungry? The reason is that parents run out of money by the end of the month. Why are they running out of money? Because they receive their small salary at the beginning of the month. "
2. 2 Determine what you already know about the problem. Write down all the available information. If you are working in a group, then everyone should complete this step. You can make the plan in the form of a short list or in complete sentences.
   • For example, if you need a new apartment, then write down specific details such as check-in time, maximum allowable monthly payment and suitable area.
   • If you are trying to delineate the problem of child hunger in your city, you can make a list with the approximate number of children, list the areas of residence and schools that such children go to.
3. 3 Determine other required information. Make a list of known facts and think about what you do not yet know. This is an important aspect that will help to comprehensively formulate the essence of the problem and find a solution. If you are working in a group, then discuss the missing information with its members.
   • For example, if you are looking for a new apartment, the missing information may be about the price of rent that you can afford, local rental offers, the cost of utilities without a roommate.
   • If you are trying to delineate the problem of child hunger in your area, then it might not hurt to find out how much food is in short supply for families, what social programs are available, and what other sources of food are available to children.
4. 4 Do your research to fill in the gaps. Try to find the information you need on the Internet. If the search fails, then you will need to make phone calls or conduct surveys and talk to experts on the subject.
   • For example, if you want to find an apartment in a specific area and price range, then you can study the ads on the Internet or newspapers, and also call the real estate company.
   • In the case of child hunger, you can talk to school staff or create a survey form for parents.

Part 2 of 3: Putting the Problem into Words

1. 1 Describe the problem in your own words. Try to describe the problem in your own words. It is important to go into details and be as specific as possible.
   • For example, if you need to find a new apartment due to the departure of a neighbor, write: "I need to find a new apartment, because I cannot afford to rent a two-room apartment and I cannot find a new neighbor."
   • Another example: "Some children in our area often go hungry towards the end of the month."
2. 2 Complete the original wording with new details. Try to expand the description of the problem with the information you have gathered. Use as much detail as possible in this description.
   • For example, if you are looking for a new apartment, then the following wording is possible: “I need to find a new apartment by the end of the month, since I can no longer afford my current housing. You need a one-room apartment or studio in the same area, costing no more than 30,000 rubles a month. "
   • The wording of the problem of child hunger may look like this: "Some children in our area often go hungry towards the end of the month, as parents run out of money and do not know about social programs."
3. 3 Consider improving the wording. A group discussion of the problem statement will help you understand what you missed. Have an open discussion. Strive to improve this formulation and clarify the problem.
   • Ask the group members the following questions: “What is missing in the wording? What aspects can be improved? " Try to find the missing parts together.
4. 4 Define the key concepts of the wording. If you need to present your formulation to a group of people, attach definitions of key terms. This must be done even if the wording seems clear to you.
   • For example, you might want to clarify what is meant by “social programs” when describing the problem of child hunger in your area.

Part 3 of 3: How to Find a Solution

1. 1 Look for patterns in other people's descriptions of the problem. Talk to people affected by the issue. Read articles and opinions on the issue. All this will help you better understand the cause and find a possible solution.
   • For example, if the reason for looking for an apartment was the rental price, then you will probably notice that this problem has affected many people. Observation will help you understand that the high rental costs in the area are at the root of the problem.
   • If you are trying to establish the causes of childhood hunger, then read articles and opinions on the topic. It may turn out that the main problem is insufficient information of the population about social programs.
2. 2 Check the possible causes of the problem. The causes of problems are not always on the surface. Take the time to find answers. There may be several reasons. It is important to know about this even before you start looking for a solution.
   • For example, if the high cost of renting is due to the location of the area and a sufficiently developed infrastructure, then such aspects may justify additional spending. So, you can try to reduce the cost of entertainment and other aspects in order to be able to rent an apartment in such an area.
   • If you are trying to articulate the problem of child hunger, then high food prices and low wages may be the cause.
3. 3 Determine the possible consequences of the problem. A reluctance to seek a solution to a problem can lead to an increase in the scale of problems in the future. Consider all the possible consequences of such a problem. List the pros and cons of finding a solution to the problem to avoid negative consequences. Sometimes trying to solve a problem can have more dangerous consequences than observation.
   • For example, if you try to live in an apartment that is too expensive, then over time you run the risk of finding yourself in an even more difficult financial situation.
   • If the problem of childhood hunger is not resolved, then children may suffer from malnutrition and receive psychological trauma, which will affect their entire subsequent life.
4. 4 Identify aspects that can be changed. Sometimes there is no way to solve the whole problem if some of the nuances are beyond your control. What aspects of the problem are you really able to influence?
   • For example, if you do not have enough money to rent an apartment, then you cannot control the price. At the same time, it is in your power to competently spend money or find a part-time job.
   • If you are trying to solve the problem of child hunger in your area, then you are not able to influence families, but you are able to convey information about various social programs.