Well define the problem

Ask “why” of the initial problem statement. Then formulate a new problem statement based on the answer. Then
ask “why” again, and again until the essence of the “real” problem emerges. Restate (redefine) the problem in as many different ways as we can think of to broaden our perspective of a problem and to identify the central issues and alternative solutions increasing the chance to  resolve the problem

Problem definition should not be too broad or too narrow 

Problem definition should not be assumption driven

(Jones 1998, pp.63-67).

Problem definition should not limit the objectives and alternatives

Identify objectives and their attributes

Identify alternatives

Asking “Why?”  takes  you from means to ends;

asking “How?” will take you from ends back to means, leading you toward alternatives

(Hammond, 2002, p.50)

• Goodwill, P., and G. Wright.  Decision Analysis for Management Judgment. 4th  ed.  Chichester:  John Wiley and Sons, 2004.   
• Hammond, J., Keeney R. Raiffa H. (2002). Smart Choices: A Practical Guide To Making Better Life Decisions. Broadway Books New York.
• Jones, Morgan D. 1998. The Thinker’s Toolkit: 14 Powerful Techniques for Problem Solving by Morgan D. Jones(1998-06-30). Crown Business.