Issue Statement

What is an Issue Statement?

In experience design, an issue statement in Design Thinking's Define stage is a clear and concise statement that defines the problem or opportunity that the design team needs to address. The issue statement is a critical step in the design thinking process because it helps the team to focus on the specific problem they need to solve and identify the right opportunities for innovation.

The issue statement should be framed in a way that is actionable and understandable for all members of the design team, as well as stakeholders who will be involved in the design process. It should be based on user research, observations, and insights gathered during the earlier stages of the design thinking process.

A well-crafted issue statement typically follows a formula that includes four key components:

  1. The user or customer segment: Who is the issue affecting? Who are the users or customers that the design team is trying to help?
  2. The problem or opportunity: What is the issue that needs to be addressed? What is the opportunity that the design team wants to explore?
  3. The impact or outcome: What is the expected impact or outcome of solving the problem or exploring the opportunity? What are the desired results?
  4. The context or constraints: What are the context or constraints that the design team needs to consider? What are the limitations or challenges that need to be overcome?

By developing a clear issue statement, the design team can align on the problem they are trying to solve and develop more effective solutions that meet the needs of their users or customers.

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