Prof. Steve Tello Prof. Ralph Jordan Workshop I: Identifying Problems Team Building

Tonight’s Agenda 6:00 – 6:30Welcome, Introductions, Overview6:00 – 6:30Welcome, Introductions, Overview 6:30 – 7:00What makes a “good” problem?6:30 – 7:00What makes a “good” problem? 7:00 – 7:30 Team Building around problems7:00 – 7:30 Team Building around problems

DifferenceMaker Team Staff Ha PhoHa Pho Holly ButlerHolly ButlerCoops James AbdallahJames Abdallah Gianni FalzoneGianni Falzone Michael JanninoMichael Jannino Faith MalayFaith Malay Faculty Fellows Prof. John BrownGSEProf. John BrownGSE Prof. Guanling ChenCSProf. Guanling ChenCS Prof. Deb. FinchMSBProf. Deb. FinchMSB Prof. Ralph JordanMSBProf. Ralph JordanMSB Prof. Val KijewksiMSBProf. Val KijewksiMSB Prof. Ainat KoranCHSProf. Ainat KoranCHS Prof. Chad MontrieFAHSSProf. Chad MontrieFAHSS Prof. Dan SullivanENGProf. Dan SullivanENGhttp://

Welcome to the $25K Idea Challenge! 25 applications as of today All Applications due Feb. 24!25 applications as of today All Applications due Feb. 24! All 6 Colleges ParticipatingAll 6 Colleges Participating New Products, New Services, New CausesNew Products, New Services, New Causes Thank you all for joining the Idea Challenge!Thank you all for joining the Idea Challenge! So what have you gotten yourself into?So what have you gotten yourself into?

What Is Next? 9 weeks to Idea Challenge Event – April 159 weeks to Idea Challenge Event – April 15 Build your TeamBuild your Team Research your Problem, Opportunity and SolutionResearch your Problem, Opportunity and Solution Prepare a 3-5 minute Rocket Pitch, Project Executive Summary and PosterPrepare a 3-5 minute Rocket Pitch, Project Executive Summary and Poster Build your online E-PortfolioBuild your online E-Portfolio Then impress the Judges!Then impress the Judges!

So Tell Us About You, Your Team & Your Challenge Introduce your TeamIntroduce your Team Tell us about the Challenge you are solvingTell us about the Challenge you are solving Do you need additional help?Do you need additional help? In 1 minuteIn 1 minute

Problem/Solution Model

The Rocket Pitch The ProblemThe Problem  What problem are you addressing? Customer pain?  Who is affected by the problem? The OpportunityThe Opportunity  Demonstrate your knowledge regarding the opportunity associated with solving this problem.  Estimate the number of people affected by the problem The SolutionThe Solution  What is your proposed solution?  Who value does your solution provide? How will you sustain it? Call to ActionCall to Action  What do you want? How will you use funds?  Funding, advice, contacts, board members?

Rocket Pitch: Selling Your Idea A Succinct Delivery of your proposed solution!A Succinct Delivery of your proposed solution! 3 slides in 3 minutes (alright, maybe 5 : - )3 slides in 3 minutes (alright, maybe 5 : - )

What Makes a Good Idea Challenge Problem? A problem that matters to you, and to others A problem that matters to you, and to others  Typically a problem with some social importance A problem that others understand A problem that others understand  Can you can quickly explain the problem in a way that others understand A problem that elicits multiple perspectives A problem that elicits multiple perspectives A problem with tangible solutions A problem with tangible solutions A problem that maps to award categories A problem that maps to award categories

2013 Idea Challenge Categories Campus-wide DifferenceMaker Campus-wide DifferenceMaker  Developing Nation Prosthetic Contribution to a Sustainable Environment Contribution to a Sustainable Environment  Lowell Sprouts/Lets Grow Lowell, Hybrid Power Trike First to Market First to Market  GrabABite, Point Stick Innovative Technology Innovative Technology  Robotic Feeding Arm, Notoja Significant Social Impact Significant Social Impact  Healthy Habits, Bright Future Generation

Step I – Define the Problem Clearly state the problem you want to solve Define who is affected by the problem   Specifics count here!   Who? How many? What color are their eyes?   How are they affected? How important is it to solve this problem? Details are important Best way to find this information:   Research & Talking to People

Step I – Define the Problem Take 5 Minutes and Start to Define the Problem What is the problem you wish to solve? Who is affected by the problem? How significant is this problem? Why is it important to solve this problem? What don’t you know about this problem? What do you need help with? Where can you find answers?

Answering these Questions Resources to helpResources to help  First, talk to the people affected by the problem  Talk to the people you will implement or use your solution Library – E LibraryLibrary – E Library  Contact the Reference Librarian for your area DM Faculty FellowsDM Faculty Fellows Fellow StudentsFellow Students

Workshop II – Assess the Opportunity Demonstrate your knowledge regarding the scope of the opportunity associated with solving this problemDemonstrate your knowledge regarding the scope of the opportunity associated with solving this problem You already started this in Step IYou already started this in Step I How is the problem currently addressed?How is the problem currently addressed? Who is currently addressing this problem?Who is currently addressing this problem? How can current solutions be improved upon?How can current solutions be improved upon?

Homework Before our next workshop, Feb. 19 Try to answer these questionsBefore our next workshop, Feb. 19 Try to answer these questions Talk to 25 people about the problem Talk to 25 people about the problem  Develop a list of 5-10 questions  Who are the people affected by the problem?  Why is it important to solve this problem?  What bothers people the most about the problem?  Who else has attempted to solve the problem?  How effective are current solutions/attempts? Be prepared to discuss in the workshop.

What’s Next? Wed., Feb. 19, 6-7:30 PMWed., Feb. 19, 6-7:30 PM Identifying OpportunitiesIdentifying Opportunities Application due Feb. 24, but get it in sooner!Application due Feb. 24, but get it in sooner!

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