In policymaking, clearly defining the problem is essential to ensure effective solutions. A well-defined problem should outline the objective and guide the setup and direction, forming the foundation for successful policy development. This guide provides tools and tips on getting clarity around the problem you are trying to solve and how you will solve it.

Common problems in policymaking include: 

• Starting work before there are clear boundaries around the scope of the problem that is being solved.
• Deciding on the solution before the problem is fully understood and locking into an approach that may not be fit for purpose.
• Not getting input from key stakeholders, experts and end users which could mean that critical insights are missed that would shape the understanding of the problem. 

These resources facilitate a structured approach to defining the problem and can help translate a nebulous concept into a concrete issue that sets the foundation for work. They include a problem definition guide, a scoping workshop guide, a scoping template, and an issues tree guide.