problem-framing-canvas

Purpose

Guide product managers through the MITRE Problem Framing Canvas process by asking structured questions across three phases: Look Inward (examine your own assumptions and biases), Look Outward (understand who experiences the problem and who doesn't), and Reframe (synthesize insights into an actionable problem statement and "How Might We" question). Use this to ensure you're solving the right problem before jumping to solutions—avoiding confirmation bias, overlooked stakeholders, and solution-first thinking.

This is not a solution brainstorm—it's a problem framing tool that broadens perspective, challenges assumptions, and produces a clear, equity-driven problem statement.

Key Concepts

What is the MITRE Problem Framing Canvas?

The Problem Framing Canvas (MITRE Innovation Toolkit, v3) is a structured framework that helps teams explore a problem space comprehensively before proposing solutions. It's partitioned into three areas:

1. Look Inward — Examine your own assumptions, biases, and how you might be part of the problem
2. Look Outward — Understand who experiences the problem, who benefits from it, and who's been left out
3. Reframe — Synthesize insights into a clear, actionable problem statement and "How Might We" question

Canvas Structure