This document provides a template and example for writing a problem statement as part of a social impact model. It suggests including 1 sentence describing the scale of the problem globally or locally, 1-3 bullets explaining why the problem is a problem, and 2-4 bullets explaining why current interventions have failed or are not ideal. The example problem statement describes chronic youth unemployment in a rural region, noting employment and income statistics, risk factors for unemployed youth, and shortcomings of current training programs in the area.
4. Problem Statement Template
• [ 1 sentence which explains the size of the problem globally
or in the target region.]
– Example: Globally, there are 75 million unemployed youth.
• [ 1-3 bullets explaining why the problem is a problem]
– Example: Unemployed urban youth are xx% more likely
than employed youth to become involved in gangs.
• [ 2-4 bullets explaining why current interventions failed or are
not ideal]
– Example: Most training programs do not provide job
placement services, resulting in only a low percentage of
graduates actually getting jobs in their field of study.
4
Problem statement is not about your organization’s problems. It’s about the problems of your beneficiaries.
First, recognize that this is a big problem and beyond the geographic scope you are currently working in. This sets up the idea that your solution is scalable and that you are aware of that potential. Second, give some relevant statistics or other supporting facts. This can be data from other sources, as long as they are credible. You don’t have to cite sources, but do be sure that you have them in case someone asks. Third, give some background information that makes the case for why your solution is needed. The goal here isn’t to criticize your competitors, but to begin to show why a different solution is needed.
Here’s one example. Note that it starts with recognizing a global problem, then focuses on one specific region where the enterprise works. It then gives some general statements about cooking with open fires (i.e., the status quo). These are strong as is, but would be stronger with some statistics around them. Then, you see some information about the problems with current, competing solutions. Again these are general observations. You don’t need to provide proof up front, but be sure you have it ready to provide on demand.
Here’s another example with more detail.
Focus on beneficiary – not on the paying customer, and not on your organization
Global understanding. You don’t want to reinvent the wheel and no one wants to fund you to reinvent the wheel.
Get some thoughts and, ideally, statistics on the table to support the rest of your plan