Final answer:
Defining the problem involves providing a detailed description of the issue that a design or solution is intended to address, ensuring understanding among the design team, and considering customer needs, market conditions, and available resources. The problem definition concludes with a clear problem statement and establishes criteria and constraints.
Step-by-step explanation:
To define the problem means to provide a clear and concise description of the issue or need that a design or solution will address. This crucial step ensures that the designers or problem-solvers are aware of the actual issue that is significant to potential customers and that the problem is understood by all members of the design team. A comprehensive understanding of the problem includes knowledge about customers' needs, competitors, market positions, constraints from government regulations or technological boundaries, and the resources such as personnel, time, and money available for the design effort.
The problem definition process results in a precise understanding of the project's scope and the resources at hand to tackle the design problem. This understanding is typically articulated in a problem statement, which acts as a guide for the entire design and problem-solving process. As part of the problem definition, criteria and constraints are also established to identify what must be accomplished and the limitations that must be worked within.