problembildning

Problembildning refers to the process of identifying, defining, and reframing problems to enable effective problem solving and decision making. The term is used in Swedish education, organizational design, and research, often as a precursor to ideation and solution development. The process typically begins with recognizing that a problem exists, followed by clarifying objectives, stakeholders, and constraints, and by articulating a precise problem statement or design brief. A key aspect is reframing: asking questions that shift perspective to open up new solution spaces rather than sticking to a narrow framing. This helps reduce misalignment and scope creep later in a project.

Common steps include: problem recognition; scoping and boundary setting; stakeholder mapping; gathering and interpreting evidence; formulating a testable problem statement or brief; evaluating and revising the formulation as new information emerges; and establishing success criteria and constraints. Techniques such as interviews, brainstorming, root-cause analysis, and scenario planning can support the process.

Applications: in education to structure inquiry, in product and service design to define requirements, in policy development to clarify aims and trade-offs. Benefits include improved clarity, better alignment among teams, increased relevance of solutions, and more robust evaluation. Challenges include cognitive biases, incomplete information, and competing stakeholder interests.