This first question invites you to explore your understanding of the challenge you are facing. There are several questions you can ask to assist in clarifying this. The idea here is to explore the topic creatively within as broad a perspective as possible.

Example questions:  What seems to be out of balance? What could be improved to work more effectively? What bugs your customers, or your employees/you? What is creating your need to act?

List as many possibilities as you can, and then link as items together where possible into groups.  Prioritize the groups according to which is most important. Look at how this solution may impact (both positively and negatively, and both directly and indirectly) on all stakeholders involved. Try and look at this from as many perspectives as possible.

Gather all the information possible. This means digging into the underlying causes; you can use root cause analysis or cause and effect analysis to clarify. It is important to ensure you solve these underlying issues in addressing your problem.

Lastly, you will want to clarify what Hurson calls your “Target Future,” or the vision for your future after this problem has been solved.