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Assignment: 5W1H

Captions on this video are YouTube's automatic ones and have not been corrected. The full written version is below, so nothing here depends on the video.

Now it's your turn to use the 5W1H method to deeply analyze the problem you identified in Module 2.

This assignment will help you understand your problem at a much deeper level — which is essential before you can design a solution that actually works.


What to Do

Using the problem you selected in Module 2, answer each of the six 5W1H questions as specifically and thoughtfully as possible.

Step 1: State your problem

Write a clear, one-sentence description of the problem you are focusing on.

Step 2: Answer the 5W1H questions

For each question below, write 2–4 sentences that answer it as specifically as you can. Use what you learned from your research and empathy interviews in Module 2.

  1. What — What exactly is the problem? Describe it in detail.
  2. Who — Who is affected by this problem? Be specific about age, location, background, or other relevant characteristics.
  3. Why — Why does this problem exist? What are the root causes?
  4. Where — Where does this problem happen? Is it local, regional, or broader?
  5. When — When does this problem occur? How often? At what time of day, year, or life stage?
  6. How — How does this problem affect the people experiencing it? What are the real consequences?

Tips for Success

  • Be specific — avoid vague or general answers. The more specific you are, the easier it will be to design a targeted solution.
  • Use evidence — refer back to your interviews, observations, or research from Module 2 to support your answers.
  • Think about root causes — especially for the "Why" question, try to go beyond the obvious surface explanation.
  • It's okay if your answers evolve — this is a thinking process, not a final report.

Examples

Look at the example responses from Aisha, Jacob, and Jenny to see how they applied 5W1H to their own problems.

When you're ready, submit your 5W1H analysis in the submission box!

Examples

Look at the example responses to see how they applied this to their own problem.