Problem Funnel
activities for problem-solving
Free problem-solving activities, you will acquire new ways of working to solve your challenges. You will discover techniques to investigate, define, and frame your problems, helping you better understand and deal with them.
An activity to improve your communication.Why try the Problem Funnel?
Do you need help convincing people to support solutions for issues related to your project or product?
Activity Objective
Practice the Problem Funnel to refine your problem statement and gain a deeper understanding of the problem. Communicate the problem more effectively for successful solutions.
Templates
Number of Players
Problem Funnel activity can be done alone or in a group, for any team size.
Activity Duration
15-30 minutes
Instructions
Introduce the Problem Funnel activity to refine and simplify the problem statement.
Present the initial problem statement to the participants.
Tell the participants to summarize the problem statement in 40 words, covering all the important details.
Ask participants to summarize the problem in 20 words, focusing on key elements.
Refine the problem to 10 words, and highlight the core issue to address.
The challenge is to summarize the problem in 5 words.
Bonus: Turn it into a #hashtag
Encourage sharing refined problem statements and discussing gained insights.
Summarize the key takeaways and stress the importance of a clear problem statement in effective problem-solving.
Check out our blog for reflection questions for teams.
Agenda Example
Introduction to the Problem Funnel activity (5 minutes)
State the problem in 40 words (5 minutes)
Rewrite the problem in 20 words (5 minutes)
Refine the problem down to 10 words (5 minutes)
Narrow the problem down to 5 words (5 minutes)
Wrap-up and discussion (5 minutes)
Read our blog post: The 15-Minute Solution to Life’s Toughest Problems
Script & Talk Track
Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Problem Funnel activity. Today, we will embark on a journey to refine and clarify the problem you are trying to solve. The Problem Funnel activity will help you better understand and communicate the problem effectively to others. Are you ready to get started?
Excellent! Let's begin by introducing the initial problem statement. Imagine you are looking for a way to inspire stakeholders, team members, and leaders about the value of your project or product. Your problem statement could be, "How might we help young professionals find affordable and convenient housing options in urban areas without compromising their quality of life?" Take a moment to reflect on this problem statement.
Great! Now, let's progress through the stages of the Problem Funnel. We'll start by rewriting the problem statement in 40 words, capturing the comprehensive essence of the problem. Remember, we want to communicate the value and impact of the project or product effectively.
Fantastic! You have successfully rewritten the problem statement in 40 words. Now, let's move on to the next step. Condense the problem statement to just 20 words, focusing on the key elements defining the problem.
Well done! Now, let's refine the problem statement to 10 words, highlighting the core issue that is the priority. This step will help us gain a sharper focus.
Amazing! We are almost there. For the final step, challenge yourself to narrow the problem statement to five words. This will capture the essence of the problem in a concise form. Bonus marks if you narrow it down even further into a #hashtag
Great job, team! We have finished the Problem Funnel task. What insights did we gain about our problems and how we can effectively communicate them to others?
Do you want to solve problems faster and better?
