The term "problem" generally refers to a situation, person, or thing that requires attention and needs to be dealt with or solved because it represents a gap between the current state and a desired or ideal state

. More specifically, a problem is the difference between what is and what might or should be ; for example, "No child should go to bed hungry, but one-quarter of all children do"

. Defining a problem involves clearly understanding and describing the challenge, including the needs of stakeholders and the requirements for change to improve the system or situation

. This process is crucial because a well-defined problem leads to more effective and appropriate solutions, while a poorly defined problem makes solving it much harder

. Key aspects of defining and analyzing a problem include:

• Clarifying what the problem is without jumping to solutions, to keep options open

• Describing the problem in terms everyone shares, avoiding blame, to foster collaboration

• Understanding why the problem exists by exploring root causes through iterative questioning (e.g., "but why?" technique)

• Considering when the problem started or became significant, as this affects how entrenched it is and the approach to solving it

• Assessing the extent or impact of the problem, including how many people it affects and how serious it is

In summary, a problem is an issue or challenge that disrupts desired outcomes, and solving it starts with a careful and thorough definition and analysis to ensure effective solutions can be developed