Which practice should a well-formed problem statement avoid?

• A. Prescribing a specific solution.
• B. Identifying stakeholders.
• C. Describing the desired future state.
• D. Defining scope.

Answer: (A)

A well-formed problem statement frames the issue without dictating how to fix it. The goal is to describe what is happening, who is affected, and what a successful outcome would look like, leaving the door open to multiple possible solutions. When you prescribe a specific solution, you bias the investigation and prematurely constrain the range of approaches, which can overlook better or more feasible options and ignore constraints that weren’t considered yet.

That’s why focusing on who is involved (stakeholders), what the future state should achieve (desired outcomes), and where the problem sits (scope) are all valuable. Identifying stakeholders ensures you understand different perspectives and impacts; describing the desired future state clarifies the goal you’re aiming for; and defining scope sets boundaries to keep the effort focused and manageable. So the practice to avoid is prescribing a specific solution.