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\r\n\r\nAlbert Einstein is often crediting with saying that if he had 1 hour to save the world, he would spend 55 minutes defining the problem. Whether or not he actually said this, the sentiment is a valid one. You cannot begin to work on solutions until you have a clear understanding of the problem, its impacts, and the goals you want to achieve. It often takes\u00a0 significant time and effort gain this thorough understanding. Poor communication at the problem definition stage can derail a project from the start. The video below by design engineer Jordan Robert provides clear examples of why spending time at the beginning to understand and fully define the problem before trying to solve it is time well spent; and why failing to do so can have serious consequences.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n[embed]https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iwddgAoGBqg&t=393s[\/embed]\r\nFlemming and Johnston[footnote]S.A.C. Flemming and C.R Johnston, \u201cThe nature of a problem, problem diagnosis, and engineering design.\u201d Canadian Engineering Education Association (CEEA) Conference Proceedings,<\/em> paper 112, June 2020.[\/footnote] have argued that problem definition \u201cmay be the most important cognitive activity in creative problem solving,\u201d but that many novice engineers lack the skills and clear framework to effectively define a wide range of real-world problems. The next section seeks to address this by providing you with an adaptable framework for defining a problem.<\/p>\r\n\r\n STEP 1: Understand the Need<\/strong> (\"unsatisfactory situation\")<\/span><\/p>\r\n Identifying the need for a solution entails studying, understanding, and describing the \u201cunsatisfactory situation\u201d that creates the need for a solution. This statement might answer questions such as: What is wrong with the way things currently are? What negative effects does (or could) this situation cause? For whom?<\/em>\u00a0 You will likely need to do background research to supply data that quantifies these negative effects. More importantly, you need to understand and develop empathy<\/strong> for the people and environments feeling those impacts. Modern engineering requires not only data, but also empathy to fully understand the need. To consider who you need to understand and empathize with, and likely consult with while defining and addressing the problem, you might use the Four I Framework<\/strong>:<\/p>\r\n\r\n EXAMPLE Problem Definition<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n Hopefully, it has become clear that the engineering design process and the writing process have a lot in common! You can apply Hyman\u2019s model directly to your communications tasks.<\/p>\r\n Think of a document you have to write as a solution to a specific problem. Before you begin drafting, you must define the communication problem you are trying to solve:<\/p>\r\n Understand the Need:<\/strong><\/span> consider what gave rise to the need to communicate. Does someone lack sufficient information to make a decision or take a position on an issue? Did someone request information? Is there some unsatisfactory situation that needs to be remedied by communicating with your audience? What specifically is unsatisfactory about it? Consider your audience.\u00a0 For example<\/p>\r\n A <\/em>potential client lacks sufficient information to decide if my proposed heating solution is feasible and affordable.<\/em><\/p>\r\n My instructor lacks sufficient examples of my written work to assign a grade for how well I met the course learning objectives.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n Establish a Goal: <\/strong><\/span>What is your desired outcome? Consider your purpose in writing. What do you want your reader to do, think, or know after reading? Do you want your reader to make a decision? Change their opinion or behaviour? Follow a course of action?\u00a0 For example<\/p>\r\n Provide the client with enough information, in an effective and readable format, to confidently hire our firm to build the solution.\r\n<\/em><\/p>\r\n Provide my instructor with samples of my writing that demonstrate that I have not only achieved the course learning objectives, but exceeded expectations (and get an A).<\/em><\/p>\r\n Define Objectives: <\/strong><\/span>What specific criteria should your document meet to be highly effective? What genre, style, content and format will be most effective in communicating your message? How will it be \"graded\"? For example: The document should use clear headings for readability, include specific information about costs and benefits, and use persuasive, evidence-based arguments supported by credible sources.<\/p>\r\n Review the client's RFP to see what specific objectives it lists and how your proposal will be assessed.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Review <\/em>the Assignment Description and G<\/em>rading Rubric for your assignment to determin<\/em>e specific <\/em>requirements and learning <\/em>objectives that your instructor will use to evaluate your work. For instance, it should be clear, concise, coherent, concrete and correct.\r\n<\/em><\/p>\r\n Identify Constraints:<\/span> <\/strong>what are the pass\/fail conditions of this document?\u00a0 For example: The proposal must be no longer than 5 pages, must be submitted as a PDF by Friday at 5:00 PM, and must strictly follow IEEE citation style. Consider your rhetorical situation. What conditions exist that present barriers or challenges to communication? How can you address them? For example,<\/p>\r\n How much time is your audience willing to spend reading this?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n What format and style do they require? Is there a Style Guide you must follow? A template you must use?<\/em><\/p>\r\n How much time do you have to create it?\u00a0 Do you have a deadline? (due date)<\/em><\/p>\r\n Are there requirements for using sources? (academic integrity rules, minimum number of sources, etc.)<\/em><\/p>\r\nKeep in mind that the document you produce is ultimately evaluated in terms of how well it responds to the \"problem\" -- that is, how well it meets the overall goal and demonstrates achievement of specific objectives while abiding by constraints.\r\n EXAMPLE<\/strong>: The Prompt Engineering Parallel<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\nFramework for Defining a Problem<\/h1>\r\nDefining the problem helps you understand it in complex and sophisticated ways that allow you to come up with effective solutions. There isn\u2019t just one way to define a problem, but Barry Hyman\u2019s Problem Formulation model[footnote]B. Hyman, \u201cCh. 2: Problem formulation,\u201d in\u00a0<\/span>Fundamentals of Engineering Design<\/em>, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2002, pp. 40-54.[\/footnote]<\/span> offers a useful\u00a0 and adaptable approach. His framework for defining a problem consists of 4 key elements: Need, Goal, Objectives, and Constraints<\/span>\r\n
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\r\n Vague Objectives<\/strong><\/th>\r\n Measurable Objectives<\/strong><\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n \r\n The solution should be light<\/td>\r\n The solution should be light enough to carry easily with one hand (ideally under 5 kg)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n \r\n The solution should be fast<\/td>\r\n The system should be able to process at least 500 concurrent user requests with less than 50ms of latency.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n \r\n The solution should be sustainable<\/td>\r\n The design should minimize municipal water use during operation.\r\n\r\nThe design should maximize the use of post-consumer recycled plastics, aiming for at least 80%.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\nNote that sustainability<\/em> and accessibility<\/em> are increasingly treated as crucial requirements in modern engineering design.\r\n\r\nSTEP 4: Identify Constraints<\/strong> (the \"must\" criteria)<\/span>\r\n\r\nConstraints define the absolute limits that any feasible solution must adhere to in order to be acceptable. These are the strict \"pass\/fail\" or \"go\/no-go\" conditions. If a solution violates a constraint, it is rejected (\"fails\"). Typical constraints include\r\n \r\n \t
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Communication as Solution<\/h1>\r\n
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The Spectrum of Engineering Problems<\/h1>\r\nHyman\u2019s formulation offers a framework for defining a specific problem. However, there are different kinds of problems and you may need to adapt this model to address them. Problems exist on a spectrum, from close-ended problems (with one correct solution) to fully open-ended problems with innumerable possible solutions. To accurately define a problem, you will need to understand what kind of problem you are tackling.\r\n\r\n
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