What is the first step you should take in the problem determination process?

Identifying the problem is indeed the foundational step in the problem determination process. This step involves gathering information about the issue at hand to understand what the actual problem is. It sets the stage for effective troubleshooting and ensures that the subsequent steps are focused on the correct issues. By accurately defining what the problem is, you can target your efforts more efficiently and formulate appropriate hypotheses and potential solutions down the line.

When the problem is clearly identified, it allows for a structured approach to testing solutions and seeking customer feedback as needed. Without this critical first step, efforts to develop hypotheses or test potential solutions could be misguided, wasting time and resources.