This set of problem definition methods is divided into three main categories.
- Those Problem Definition methods classified as "Conceptualization" are methods supporting definition activities that conceive new problem definitions.
- Those Problem Definition methods classified as "Refinement" are methods supporting definition activities that derive new problem definitions through refining existing ones.
- Those Problem Definition methods classified as "Analysis" are methods supporting definition activities that produce new problem definitions from analyzing old definitions and data.
The mission of these communities is to:
- Improve the practices within their focus area
- Help participants submit documented processes to the IPM Alliance for APM certification
- Mentor and provide role models to the community's participants
- Collect and distribute shared resources and information
- Apply methods towards social innovation