Problem Framing: The Fundamental Skill for Reducing Development Waste

Problematization is a term that can also be translated as problem-raising or problem-framing. It can also be translated as problem-setting or problem-definition. It is a concept that encompasses the process of questioning known facts such as requests or common sense from new perspectives, defining problems, and working out ways to solve these problems. While problematization should be the starting point of all development, it remains an insufficiently discussed topic in the development field. Carrying out projects or developing programs is, in fact, about creating plans to solve problems. In other words, it is related to problematization. To solve a problem, the problem must first be clearly defined. However, problems are usually given in the form of vague requests. Therefore, having the ability to transform vague requests into clear problems reduces unnecessary 'development waste,' facilitates smooth collaboration, and enables proper understanding of users' real needs. This course helps train 'problem-constructing thinking' through practical cases and tools.