diff --git a/shell/problemmodel.h b/shell/problemmodel.h
--- a/shell/problemmodel.h
+++ b/shell/problemmodel.h
@@ -133,6 +133,20 @@
     /// Retrieve problems for selected document
     QVector<IProblem::Ptr> problems(const KDevelop::IndexedString& document);
 
+    /**
+     * Clear current problems and add new "placeholder" item (problem).
+     *
+     * The method should be used to notify user about some events. For example, analyzer plugin
+     * can set placeholders at analysis state changes - started/finished without errors/etc.
+     *
+     * \param[in] text Sets problem description.
+     * \param[in] source Sets problem sourceString() return value.
+     * \param[in] location Sets problem final location.
+    */
+    void setPlaceHolderText(const QString& text,
+                            const QString& source,
+                            const KDevelop::DocumentRange& location = KDevelop::DocumentRange());
+
     /// Retrieve the supported features
     Features features() const;
 
diff --git a/shell/problemmodel.cpp b/shell/problemmodel.cpp
--- a/shell/problemmodel.cpp
+++ b/shell/problemmodel.cpp
@@ -225,6 +225,22 @@
     }
 }
 
+void ProblemModel::setPlaceHolderText(
+    const QString& text,
+    const QString& source,
+    const KDevelop::DocumentRange& location)
+{
+    IProblem::Ptr placeholderProblem(new DetectedProblem);
+
+    placeholderProblem->setSeverity(KDevelop::IProblem::Hint);
+    placeholderProblem->setDescription(text);
+    placeholderProblem->setSource(IProblem::Plugin);
+    placeholderProblem->setPluginName(source);
+    placeholderProblem->setFinalLocation(location);
+
+    setProblems({ placeholderProblem });
+}
+
 ProblemModel::Features ProblemModel::features() const
 {
     return d->m_features;