When starting a proposal writing, it is important to identify and define the problem within the general area that you plan to work on. This will depend on your past experience and knowledge. You may choose to work on a new area or a topic related to your previous research.
Once you have identified your research area, you need to narrow down your focus and define a specific research problem that you want to address within that field.
Crafting an effective problem statement requires accurate and clear writing to communicate the extent of the issue and the necessary resources to solve it. Here are the key steps to follow closely when creating a problem statement:
- Provide Context: Before writing, it’s essential to have a clear picture of the problem. To help readers understand the scope and urgency of the issue, provide enough context and describe how things should work. Discuss the what, where, when, and who regarding the problem, and consider the following questions:
- Is the problem limited to a certain demographic or region?
- Which people have tried to solve the issue?
- What do people already know about the issue?
- Explain Relevance: The problem statement should not only address the problem but also explain why it’s crucial to solve. Specify the seriousness of the issue to grab the reader’s attention and communicate why it matters to them. Answer the following questions to clarify why the problem is significant:
- Who would feel the consequences of the problem?
- What is the financial impact of the problem?
- Does the problem have any relevance to other areas of the business?
- Does the problem impact the wider society?
- How would solving the problem increase our understanding of the business?
- Provide Evidence: Use quantifiable data to back up your problem statement to make people understand the relevance and scope of the problem. It’s essential to show statistics or facts to communicate the extent of the issue and boost your credibility.
- Propose a Solution: After investigating the problem thoroughly, propose a practical solution or suggest several approaches to rectify the issue. State your objectives by suggesting well-thought-out plans for combating the issue.
Explain the Benefits: Demonstrate the effectiveness of your proposed solution(s) with practical examples of how it might address the problem. Explain how solving the problem would benefit the organization, focusing on the financial benefits and the impact on customer satisfaction.
