Writing Problem Statements

Aim:What is a Problem Statement?

Students will be able to define a Problem Statement.

Students will be able to Brainstorm Problem Statements for past and current innovations.

Students will be able to write, clear, complete, and concise Problem Statements.

Instructional Objectives:

Define Problem Statement

Problem Statement is a clear concise description of the issues that needs to be addressed by a problem solving team. It is used to center and focus the team at the beginning, keeps the team on track during the effort, and is used to validate that the effort delivered an outcome that solves the problem statement.

Problem Statement

The 5 W’s

Who- Who does the problem affect? Specific groups , organizations or customers

What- What are the boundaries of the problem, e.g. organizational, workflow, geographic, customer, segments, etc. What is the issue? What is the impact of the issue? What impact is the issue causing? What will happen when it is fixed? What would Happen if we did not solve the problem?

The 5 W’s

When- When does the issue occur? When does it need to be fixed?

Where- Where is the issue occuring? Only in certain locations, processes, products, etc.

Why- Why is it important that we fix the problem?

The 5 W’s

Artifact- Handmade object or other result of human activity such as a design or document.

Brainstorming- A group technigue for solving problems, generating ideas, and stimulating creative thinking through unrestrained spontaneous participation in discussion.

Decision Matrix- A graphical tool consisting of columns and rows that is used to compare alternatives while considering a list of specifications and constraints.

Terms

Design Matrixexamples:

Expert- Someone recognized as a reliable source.

Justifiable- Capable of being shown as a reasonable or merited according to accepted standards.

Mentor- An experienced person in an organization or institution who trains and counsels new employees or students

Terms

Patent- A grant made by a government that gives an individual or body the sole right to make, use, and sell an invention for a set period of time.

Professional Organization- An organization of and for professional people.

Professionalism- The competence or skill expected of a professional.

Valid- Well-founded on evidence and corresponds accurately to the real world.

Terms

A Problem Statement is a clear concise description of the issues that needs to be addressed by the problem solving team. It is used to center and focus the team at the beginning, keeps the team on track during the effort, and is used to validate that the effort delivered an outcome that solves the problem statement.

The 5 W’s can be used to spark discussion about the problem.

Summary

A Problem Statement expresses the words that will be used to keep the effort focused and it should represent a solvable problem.

Summary, cont.

Why is it important to begin a Design project with a valid

Problem Statement?

The Valid Problem Statement is the foundation upon which all problem solving effort is based

Why is it important to begin a Design project with a Problem Statement?

How are Experts and Mentors a value to the

Design process?

Experts and Mentors are a value to the design process because they have specific knowledge in an area of interest and can guide the research needed for accurate justification and solution to Design problems.

How are Experts and Mentors a value to the Design process?

Activity: look at this photo, guess what the objects are

Ancient surgical tools.

Write a problem statement about the use of the ancient surgical tools

Your concerns written in the problem statements about the ancient surgical tools, lead to the design of better surgical tools.