W06: Problem Identification

Welcome to TECH 120. This is a 3 credit hour course and meets for 2 hours and 50 minutes weekly. The syllabus describes the course:

Students in this course will engage in critical analysis of real-world problems and global challenges. They will demonstrate the ability to recognize opportunity and to take initiative in developing solutions applying the principles of human-centered design. Students will be able to communicate effectively and to work well on teams. Problems and solutions will be examined from societal, cultural, and ethical perspectives.

View the entire syllabus at: http://bit.ly/design-thinking-syllabus

View the course schedule at: http://bit.ly/design-thinking-course-schedule

Review week 5 videos

• We review the Project #1 videos and critique

Design process flow chart

Every design begins with a problem identification followed by a series of activities know as the Design Process Flow as shown in the image to the right.

This week we continue to focus on the problem definition, point-of-view, and ideation processes.

We will return to the evaluation and communication areas next week as we prepare for another rough prototype build.

During our last 8-weeks, we will spend more time in section as we generate a solution to the grand global challenge final project.

Group Assignments

The instructor has assigned and enrolled students into course management systems groups. Review W06: Individual Course Project Group Assignments for your specific assignment; however, the instructor will break you into groups during class for the in-class work below. You will remain in these groups for the rest of the semester.

Advanced brainstorming

We watch the d.school video below to demonstrate active brainstorming and establish rules for the process. Key concepts include:

• Defer judgement
• Capture wild ideas
• Headlining
• Quantity, not quality

Assign Team roles:

• Notetaker
• Timekeeper
• Leader/Reporter

At the end of the brainstorming process, groups will:

• categorize - find and group like items
• reduce - remove items that won't work or are not feasible at this time
• analyze - bring best ideas forward (we will learn a method for this later)

Problem identification

We will begin to identify a final course project problem and solution that teams will develop for the remainder of the semester.

To identify a potential problem to address, in our three new groups, team members will share the issues they researched last week.

1. Introduce each other (name, hometown, and a <fun question>).
2. Share and identify the four themes and capture each one on an individual sticky notes.
3. Group identical or similar themes. Take a picture.
4. After the all themes are identified, conduct a group discussion and capture the answers on sticky notes to the following questions:
   • Does this theme make a global impact? If yes, what is that impact?
   • Can teams develop a product that will solve the challenge? Cursorily talk about specific solutions, but do not focus on solutions at this time.
   • Does this theme allow teams to create a physical prototype (consider the mechanical and electrical nature of the themes).
   • Do teams have the knowledge, talent, and team member skills necessary to brainstorm, prototype, create, and market a solution? Again, stay away from specific solutions. That comes later.
5. Review all issues and themes. Select four issues that the team feels confident they can address. Take a picture.

Once the four issues are identified, the instructor will facilitate two group brainstorming sessions:

1. Brainstorm, using tips and techniques from earlier video, possible "broad-concept" solutions to the first issue (5 minutes). Remember to assign roles.
   • Categorize - Take a picture
   • Reduce - Take a picture
   • Analyze
2. Brainstorm, using tips and techniques from earlier video, possible "broad-concept" solutions to the first issue (5 minutes). Remember to assign roles.
   • Categorize - Take a picture
   • Reduce - Take a picture
   • Analyze
3. Brainstorm, using tips and techniques from earlier video, possible "broad-concept" solutions to the first issue (5 minutes). Remember to assign roles.
   • Categorize - Take a picture
   • Reduce - Take a picture
   • Analyze
4. Brainstorm, using tips and techniques from earlier video, possible "broad-concept" solutions to the first issue (5 minutes). Remember to assign roles.
   • Categorize - Take a picture
   • Reduce - Take a picture
   • Analyze

Complete the W06: Group Brainstorming Activities assignment in the course management system. This is your first group submission. Only one individual needs to submit for the group.

Peer Evaluations

This course will require you to rank order the contribution of your peers on a regular basis. This evaluation will be anonymous but will become a part of each student's grade. It is important that you each consider the work of your peers. The questions below, but not all inclusive, can help you in these evaluations:

1. Was the team member engaged?
2. Did they contribute equally?
3. Did the frequently have excuses for not completing work?
4. Did the complete work assigned to them?
5. Where they cooperative?
6. Was their work rushed and thereby lowering the quality of the team's assignments?

What are other questions we can ask?

Homework

See Course Schedule at: http://bit.ly/design-thinking-course-schedule. This is the first week that students will submit assignments as a group. We discuss the process and implications.

1. Group - Brainstorming activities (20 points)
   • The file is a single PDF (can be multiple pages) that includes clear images and legibility (5 points)
   • The PDF file includes necessary images that allow the instructor to clearly review all sticky notes (15 points)
2. Group - W06: Decision matrix worksheet (NOTE: Your teams will need this at the beginning of class next week)
   • Uploaded as a PDF file (1 point)
   • Includes at least five criteria (5 points)
   • Includes at least four constraints (4 points)
   • Includes all rankings (20 points)
   • Includes a correct total column (5 points)
   • Recommended solution row is highlighted (5 points)

Be sure to review each rubric prior to submission.