Sometimes we may overreach in defining a problem: No Child Left Behind labeled a large percentage of schools “failures” without offering a realistic way to ameliorate them.

That’s the classic trap. And it’s exactly why problem definition is the most important (and underrated) part of the consulting process. Rushing in with a solution before verifying the real problem is ...

When we work with organizations and teams, we encourage them to spend more time up front on problem-framing, a process for understanding and defining a problem.

At its core, problem-solving is about understanding the challenge, designing a solution and ensuring its effective execution.

Again, conversation over. Do you see the problem? Sadly, few want to believe the other side is capable of defining terms, too; few want to believe the other side is human.

Research shows that companies devote too little effort to examining problems before trying to solve them. By jumping immediately into problem-solving, teams limit their ability to design ...