What is the Difference Between a Problem Statement and a Solution Statement?

A problem statement and a solution statement are two different statements that serve different purposes. Here are the differences between a problem statement and a solution statement:

Problem Statement:

– A problem statement is a short, clear explanation of an issue or challenge that sums up what you want to change[3][6].
– It identifies the gap between the current problem and the goal[6].
– It describes the existing environment, where the problem occurs, and what impacts it has[6].
– It is used to explain what the expected environment looks like[6].
– It is used to perform root-cause analysis to understand why the problem occurred and ensure measures can be taken to prevent it from happening in the future[6].
– It does not define the solution or methods of reaching the solution[6].

Solution Statement:

– A solution statement is a concise and clear description of the solution to a problem that has been identified[1][2][4].
– It directly explains what opportunities there are to solve the problem that you stated in your problem statement[1].
– It proposes the approach or the method that will be used to solve the problem[1][2].
– It highlights the benefits or the value proposition of the solution[1][3].
– It provides actionable steps that can be taken to solve the problem[1][5].

In summary, a problem statement describes the issue or challenge that needs to be addressed, while a solution statement describes the solution to the problem. A problem statement is used to identify and explain the problem, while a solution statement is used to propose the approach, highlight the benefits, and provide actionable steps to solve the problem.

Citations:
[1] https://www.cuttles.io/articles/how-to-define-your-startups-solution-statement
[2] https://www.rose-hulman.edu/class/csse/csse221/201110/Projects/Simulation/Problem%20statement%20and%20proposed%20solution.htm
[3] https://www.betterup.com/blog/problem-statement
[4] https://www.linkedin.com/advice/1/how-do-you-write-problem-solution-statement-proposal
[5] https://help.paloalto.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002002472-Tips-on-the-Problem-and-Solution-statement
[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_statement