When seeking to innovate, one of the most critical steps is taking the time to deeply explore and define the problem. This is where understanding the concept of problem hierarchy becomes essential—it enables you to reframe a challenge in ways that open up entirely new avenues for creative solutions.
What is “Problem Hierarchy”?
A problem hierarchy refers to the structured layering of a problem, from its most abstract, high-level form to its most specific, low-level expression. Understanding and navigating this hierarchy allows innovators to choose the most appropriate level at which to tackle a challenge—depending on the context, desired outcomes, and capacity for change.
Why the Problem Level Matters
Whether you’re solving a business, operational, or customer problem, it’s important to ask:
At what level am I trying to solve this?
This matters because the level of abstraction or granularity you choose directly influences the types of solutions you generate.
- Higher-level problems are broader and more abstract. They often reflect systemic or strategic challenges.
- Lower-level problems are more specific and concrete, focusing on symptoms or operational details.
The higher you go in abstraction, the more space there is for innovation—you are less constrained by current assumptions or existing solutions. On the other hand, solving a problem at too high a level can lead to solutions that are overly vague or outside your scope of control. Conversely, solving too low may yield only incremental improvements.
Example: Fashion Industry
Imagine you’re in the fashion industry. Here are two ways of framing a related problem at different levels:
- Higher-level: How can we help people look good?
- Lower-level: How can we help people find clothes that suit them and fit perfectly?
The higher-level framing is aspirational but potentially too broad to act on effectively. The lower-level version narrows the scope, making it actionable and more relevant to your immediate goals—such as improving the shopping experience, inventory design, or sizing recommendations.
Navigating the Problem Hierarchy with Two Key Questions
At any point in the problem hierarchy, two simple but powerful questions can help you move up or down the levels:
- To move up (to a broader or more strategic level), ask:
- “So what?”, and “Why is this a problem?”
- These questions help you explore the implications and broader significance of the issue.
- To move down (to a more concrete or root-cause level), ask:
- “Why” and “What’s causing this problem?”
- These questions guide you toward the underlying causes and help identify actionable steps.
Choosing the Right Level
There is no “perfect” level at which to define your problem. You need to identify the level that aligns with:
- Your objective (incremental improvement vs. transformative change)
- The scope of your authority or influence
- Your resources and timeline
- The urgency and impact of potential solutions
A useful way to explore different levels of your problem is to map out a problem hierarchy:
Try This 4-Step Exercise
- Start with your current problem framing.
- Ask So what? or Why is this a problem? three times. Each time, write down the broader-level problem.
- Return to your original framing and ask Why? or What’s causing this? three times. Write down the deeper, more specific causes.
- You now have a tree of problem levels. Review it and choose the level where innovation is most needed and most feasible.
This process not only helps with clarity, but also creates a shared understanding among stakeholders and can be a launchpad for ideation workshops or strategy sessions.
Final Thoughts
When you’re working on any innovation challenge, don’t rush into brainstorming solutions. Spend time exploring the problem from multiple angles and at different levels of abstraction. Innovation doesn’t just come from solving problems—it comes from solving the right problem at the right level.
Need help with innovating and putting this concept into practice? Contact us.
