Turn challenges into solutions with these 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 into the what, why, and how, 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.

A great problem statement does three things:

1. Identifies the customer's pain point: What's not working for them right now?

2. Focuses on outcomes: What change do you want to see after you solve the problem?

3. Keeps your team aligned: Everyone works toward the same goal instead of going rogue.

Think of it as the bridge between insight and action. The better your problem statement, the smoother the path to a killer product solution.

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:

1. 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.

2. 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?

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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. 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? These 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. This framework helps you dig deep into the root cause of a problem.

In Miro: Use the 5 Whys Template 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.

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 the customer problem statement template or diving into frameworks like 5 whys or reverse brainstorming, Miro turns abstract ideas into visual clarity. Here's how:

1. Templates tailored for teams: Templates like the customer problem statement template are ready-made starting points designed to save you time and ensure your problem statement stays user-focused. Simply plug in your insights, and you're halfway there.

2. 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.

3. 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.