4 steps for defining a problem

Fred Nickols of Distance Consulting says that defining the problem "is probably the most misunderstood and poorly executed step" in the problem-solving process. Here are Fred's 4 steps for defining the problem:

1. Establish boundaries; to delineate (Locate).
2. Give distinguishing characteristics; to differentiate (Isolate).
3. State the nature of; to describe precisely (Articulate).
4. State the meaning of; to provide a definition (Explicate).