Free Challenges and Solutions for PowerPoint & Google Slides

Two columns running down the slide. Green “Challenges” header on the left, orange “Solutions” header on the right. Three rows underneath, each holding a challenge on the green side and its matching solution on the orange side. Small green-and-orange connector icons sit between the two columns to link each challenge visually to its solution.

Each row has a circular icon placeholder and a text block. The defaults show a helping hands icon, headset icon, and target icon on the left (challenges), and gear icon, rocket icon, and compass icon on the right (solutions). All icons are editable.

Why This Slide Gets Used a Lot

Every pitch deck has a version of this slide. You can’t sell a product without first naming what problem it solves, and you can’t pitch a consulting engagement without showing what’s broken and what you’ll fix. Same goes for internal strategy presentations where a team is proposing a new initiative. The challenge has to be clear before the solution lands.

The three-row limit forces discipline. If you try to list six problems, the audience stops tracking which one you’re solving. Three is the sweet spot because it covers the main issues without overwhelming the slide. The visual connector between challenge and solution reinforces that each problem has a specific fix, not a vague “we’ll figure it out” answer.

When You Need Four Rows Instead of Three

Duplicate one of the existing rows and move it into place. The layout is flexible enough that it handles four rows without breaking. Anything beyond four starts to crowd the slide, at which point you should split into two slides or consider whether you actually have four distinct problems or you’re just describing the same problem four different ways.

Practical Use

Startup founders use this in investor pitches right after the problem slide. The problem slide establishes the pain. The challenges and solutions slide shows the specific dimensions of that pain and how the product addresses each one. Consultants use it in client proposals. Product managers use it when pitching new features to leadership. Marketing teams use it when presenting campaign strategies that are designed to solve specific business problems.

Replace the placeholder text with your actual challenges and solutions. Use short phrases, not paragraphs, since the row height is limited. If you need more detail, the slide is better as a summary and the detail goes on follow-up slides.

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