Chapter guide
A problem statement names the user, situation, difficulty and consequence. Observations show what happened; your explanation of the cause may still be wrong. Keep them separate.
Check each step: does the capability change behavior, does that behavior improve business outcomes, and do those outcomes create financial value? Also check whether faster work increases rework, errors or workload.
Keep a non-AI option and explicit stop conditions. Discovering that a process change is better, or that the project should stop, is a useful delivery judgment.
Discussion question
What finding would make you recommend a non-AI approach?
Related exercise
Follow the related lesson below and try its exercise. Use the linked template to record your judgment, evidence and open questions, then revise with the checklist. With a partner, check which parts of each other’s work need clarification.