The ability to collect information to understand a problem's scope, nature, and cause is called the problem identification stage. It entails gathering information from stakeholders and doing a root cause analysis to pinpoint the actual issues.
- According to John Eck and William Spelman, the ability to collect information about the problem in an attempt to identify its scope, nature, and cause represents the problem identification stage of the problem-solving process.
- This involves gathering information from customers and other stakeholders, finding expert information (either in person or through books or other sources), and doing a root cause analysis to identify the real problem.
- It is important to identify the "given" information and what the problem is asking you to "find".
- In other words, this step requires identifying exactly what needs to be determined in the problem (identify the unknowns), which can often be aided by making a list or a sketch of the situation.
- This initial stage is crucial as it informs the subsequent steps in the problem-solving strategy, paving the way towards finding a solution.