Writing a problem statement

Name:

Date:

Class:

Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. Which one is written in the problem statement pattern?

A Mia needs a way to find her library books because she keeps forgetting due dates.

B Make a cool library app with lots of games.

2. Which part of the problem statement names the user?

A Mr Lee needs a way to ...

B ... because it would be fun.

3. Which part states the task?

A ... a way to check the bus times ...

B Our Year 5 class needs ...

4. Which one gives the reason?

A ... a way to catch the bus ...

B ... because he is often late for the bus.

5. Which is a better rewrite of the vague statement 'Make a homework app'?

A Make a really great homework app for everyone.

B Sam needs a way to track his homework because he forgets what is due.

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left column		Right column
1[User] needs a way to [do something] because [reason]		AMr Lee needs a way to check homework quickly because he has 30 books to mark.
2Mia needs a way to ...		BMake a better timetable -> Sam needs a way to see his class times because he forgets where to go.
3A problem statement gives the reason why the task matters		CThis is a solution, not a problem statement. It has no user, no task and no reason.
4Rewriting a vague idea into a clear problem statement		DNaming the user: the first part of the statement says exactly who has the problem
5Someone needs a way to read books.		EThe pattern for a problem statement: one sentence with the user, the task and the reason
6Build an app that has lots of games.		FThe user is not named and there is no reason. It should say who the user is and add 'because ...'.

Definitions

[User] needs a way to [do something] because [reason]

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

Mia needs a way to find books _______ the library is huge.

Tom ______________ save his game because he keeps losing his score.

User: Grandpa _______ needs a way to call family because they live far away.

Task: send a photo Lila needs a way to ____________ because her gran lives far away.

Vague: make a reading app Better: Ava _____ a way to read aloud because she is learning.

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.

Question 1

A Mia needs a way to

B find a library book

C quickly because

D she should get a book app.

Question 2

A Sam rides the bus to school.

B He is often late.

C He needs a way to check times

D because he must check times.

Question 3

A Leo needs a way to

B save his coding work

C so he loses his files.

Question 4

A Priya needs a way to

B do something with plants

C because they dry out on

D the weekend.

Question 5

A Jack needs a way to

B use a spinning wheel app

C because kids argue at lunch.

Answer Key

Writing a problem statement

Section A: Quick Questions

A — Mia needs a way to find her library books because she keeps forgetting due dates.

A — Mr Lee needs a way to ...

A — ... a way to check the bus times ...

B — ... because he is often late for the bus.

B — Sam needs a way to track his homework because he forgets what is due.

Section B: Match the Pairs

[User] needs a way to [do something] because [reason] → The pattern for a problem statement: one sentence with the user, the task and the reason

Mia needs a way to ... → Naming the user: the first part of the statement says exactly who has the problem

A problem statement gives the reason why the task matters → Mr Lee needs a way to check homework quickly because he has 30 books to mark.

Rewriting a vague idea into a clear problem statement → Make a better timetable -> Sam needs a way to see his class times because he forgets where to go.

Someone needs a way to read books. → The user is not named and there is no reason. It should say who the user is and add 'because ...'.

Build an app that has lots of games. → This is a solution, not a problem statement. It has no user, no task and no reason.

Section C: Definitions

[User] needs a way to [do something] because [reason] — A problem statement is one sentence that names the user, says the task they need to do, and gives the reason why it matters. It turns a vague idea into a clear problem.

Section D: Fill in the Blanks

Mia needs a way to find books
because the library is huge.

Tom needs a way to save his game
because he keeps losing his score.

User: Grandpa
Grandpa needs a way to call family
because they live far away.

Task: send a photo
Lila needs a way to send a photo
because her gran lives far away.

Vague: make a reading app
Better: Ava needs a way to read aloud
because she is learning.

Section E: Spot the Error

D — The reason must say why the task matters, not suggest a solution. It should be something like 'she has little lunch time.'

D — The reason only repeats the task. It should say why the task matters, such as 'because he must not be late.'

C — A problem statement gives its reason with the word 'because'. The line should be 'because he loses his files.'

B — The task is too vague. It should say exactly what Priya needs to do, such as 'water the class plants'.

B — The task line names a solution, not a task. It should say what Jack needs to do, such as 'pick a team fairly'.