Problemramverk

Problemramverk, or problem frames, is a conceptual approach in requirements engineering for analyzing and specifying the requirements of computer-based systems by focusing on the problem to be solved rather than on a solution. The goal is to clarify what the system is expected to achieve and how it must interact with the real world, thereby reducing ambiguity early in the development process.

Its central idea is to represent the problem environment with a small set of generic problem types and to describe the interaction between the machine (the software) and its surrounding phenomena using problem diagrams. These diagrams help identify the boundaries of the system, the data and events it must handle, and the kinds of constraints that apply.

The approach was developed by Michael A. Jackson in the 1990s and is presented in detail in his book Problem Frames (2001). In practice, analysts map a real-world situation to one or more problem frames, derive the required machine behavior, and formalize interfaces between the system and its environment.

Problem frames are valued for improving clarity, traceability, and modular thinking in requirements engineering, especially for complex or safety-critical domains. They emphasize early validation of requirements against real-world phenomena and support incremental refinement as the project evolves.

Limitations include a learning curve and potential over-structuring for small projects. The method is not a universal solution, and some practitioners integrate problem frames with other modeling techniques and agile approaches. In Swedish literature, the term problemramverk is commonly used to refer to this framework.