Couldn't agree more. I've spent a lot of time trying to explain this concept.
I do think the author has overlooked another common reason that problem definition gets overlooked: people simply conflate problems and solutions. Most of the "problems" people bring to me are actually solutions to some assumed and unacknowledged problem, e.g. "the button should be bigger." This preempts all critical evaluation of the problem and all of the alternative solutions.
I do think the author has overlooked another common reason that problem definition gets overlooked: people simply conflate problems and solutions. Most of the "problems" people bring to me are actually solutions to some assumed and unacknowledged problem, e.g. "the button should be bigger." This preempts all critical evaluation of the problem and all of the alternative solutions.