Define: Framing the Problem |DT3|
“Turning Research Into Actionable Insights”
Welcome to the Define: Framing the Problem course, the third step in our Design Thinking Learning Path. In this course, we move from understanding users (the Empathize phase) to clarifying the problem that truly needs solving.
You’ll learn how to analyze and synthesize research data, uncovering patterns, themes, and insights that highlight user needs and opportunities. From these insights, you’ll craft clear and compelling problem statements that guide your design efforts. Finally, you’ll translate those statements into focused design challenges that inspire innovative, user-centered solutions.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to transform raw data into actionable insights, frame problems with clarity, and create design challenges that set your team on the path toward meaningful innovation.
🎯 What You’ll Learn
  • Analyzing Research Data Learn essential techniques for synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data collected during the Empathize phase. Discover how to identify patterns, recognize user needs, and extract key insights that drive design decisions.
  • Crafting Problem Statements Master the art of writing effective problem statements that clearly articulate user needs and pain points. Use proven frameworks to frame problems in ways that inspire creativity and provide direction for your design team.
  • Defining Design Challenges Develop skills for translating problem statements into actionable design challenges. Learn to create well-scoped challenges that balance real-world constraints with open-ended opportunities for innovation.
📦 What’s Included
  • Engaging audio deep dives and text lessons covering Research synthesis and methods (e.g., affinity diagrams, clustering)
  • Coaching Session: Mastering Problem Statements in Design Thinking
  • Case studies showing how proper problem framing drives breakthrough solutions
  • Downloadable Study Guide
👤 Who This Course Is For
  • Designers, entrepreneurs, and innovators seeking to sharpen their problem-framing skills
  • Teams transitioning from research to ideation and innovation
  • Professionals aiming to create clear direction and alignment for design projects
✅ Requirements
  • Completion of "Empathize: Understanding Users" (recommended)
  • Basic understanding of user research methods
🏆 Certification
Upon successful completion of this course, you will earn a Certificate of Completion, showcasing your expertise in research synthesis, problem framing, and design challenge creation.
Design Thinking Learning Path
This course is part of our comprehensive Design Thinking Learning Path, designed to equip you with essential skills to excel in creating human-centric solutions.
Introduction to Design Thinking
Empathize: Understanding User Needs
Define: Framing the Problem
Ideate: Generating Ideas
Prototype: Bringing Ideas to Life
Test: Validating Solutions
Implementing Design Thinking in Organizations
Advanced Design Thinking Techniques
Case Studies and Real-World Applications
Transform Insights into Innovation
Master the skills to synthesize research, frame problems clearly, and create design challenges that drive meaningful and user-centered solutions, setting the stage for true innovation.