# One-page problem brief

A single-page template that states the problem, the customer, the evidence and the next test, so a team can agree on what it is solving before it builds.

> **How to use this.** Fill in every section in plain words. If a line has no evidence yet, write "unknown" and list how you will find out. Keep it to one page.

## 1. The problem in one sentence

Write the problem as the customer would say it. Do not mention your solution.

> Example shape: "When [situation], [type of person] struggles to [task] because [cause]."

## 2. Who has it

- **Primary customer:** the role and the kind of organization, in one line.
- **Who pays:** the person or budget that would pay, if different from the user.
- **Who else is affected:** people who use, approve or block the work.

## 3. What they do today

- The current workaround, tool or process.
- What it costs them in time, money or risk, described in their words.
- Why the workaround is not good enough.

## 4. Evidence so far

List what you have observed, not what you believe. Mark each item with its type.

| Evidence | Type (interview, observation, data, document) | Date | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |

## 5. What is still unknown

Write the three assumptions that would change your plan if they were wrong.

1. 
2. 
3. 

## 6. The next test

- **Question to answer:**
- **Method:** (for example five customer interviews, a landing-page test, a prototype walk-through)
- **Who and how many:**
- **What result would make you continue, change direction or stop:**
- **Date you will review the result:**

## 7. Decision log

| Date | Decision | Reason | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | | |

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World Enterprise, https://worldenterprise.org/. Last updated 2026-10-06.