For this assignment, you will identify and state a real-world business problem that exists in your current or prior workplace. The development of a clear and complete statement that accurately describes and defines a business problem is essential to the processes of decision making and problem solving. Once you have selected a problem, you will have made a good start toward its resolution if it is effectively defined. You may find upon developing the problem statement that what you thought was the basic cause of the problem is something totally different than what you suspected. Therefore, a properly developed problem statement is essential to ensure the right decisions are made and the right actions are taken in an effort to resolve the correct problem.

To find a problem to work with, you should look to one of the following sources, starting with the first and going down the list until you identify a source:

Your current workplace

Your former workplace

The workplace of a friend or family member

Personal problem (an objective, solvable problem, not a one-time decision)

A local social problem (graffiti in the park, uncontrolled pests, etc.)

A local community organization problem (church, homeowners association, PTA, etc.)

Action Items

Write 2-3 paragraphs (double-spaced) in which you include the following items as a draft of your problem statement:

A short background on the problem situation.

A description of the problem symptoms.

A concise statement of the problem in one sentence.