Question

What, in your view, does it mean to “Define a Problem?” In the problem-solving process, what function does the problem definition play? What are the implications of choosing one definition of a problem over a competing definition of the problem? Reflect carefully on these questions and, to the extent possible, support your responses with useful examples.

Answer 1

Definition of a problem means to describe the nature, scope and meaning of an issue at hand. The word 'problem' has a dimension of the gap between the current state and a desired state. The definition of the problem plays a vital role here. At times, people have defined problem as an unsettled question and at the same time, problems are also defined as questions raised for solution. So while defining what is problem, the end result of which is a crucial factor. As a result, the perception at which one looks at a problem actually defines the word problem itself. That perception makes it an 'unsettled question' or a 'question for solution'.

Choosing one definition over the other shows which perception one wants to stick on to. While doing so, one is limiting the scope of a problem. Another factor is that every problems we face are situation centered or contextual and therefore talking about a linear definition of a problem is unrealistic. If the definition used for a problem in a context is "unsettled question" and the problem in the context is already about a settled question, would that context really matters? That is the issue at hand while defining and redefining problems in different contexts.