You are a consultant who is trying to solve a problem by designing a better product, system, or a process / better way of doing things using your newly acquired 5 Skills of Disruptive Innovators. The challenge is to define the problem and a solution using your new skills. Sounds like some brainstorming techniques would be helpful initially. Also sounds like maybe the 5 Why’s Technique could be helpful here.
DELIVERABLE: The Final Written Report
The Problem:
o Describe the problem in detail –why it’s important, who cares about it, why should we care about it, what has been done, , have some solutions already been attempted, etc
o Do some research on the problem you’ve decided to work on. Find at least 3 articles or studies on your chosen problem. Summarize your research findings – what did you learn and how did the research help you refine the problem and identify potential solutions?
o Explain in detail how you used each of the 5 skills of a disruptive innovator (associating, questioning, observing, experimenting, networking).
o Explain how you used the 5 Why’s, and 6 Thinking Hats techniques in developing your project.
o What products, tools, systems, challenges, constraints etc. are involved with this problem?
o Who are the people who should be involved with solving/ addressing the problem? Describe.
Your Best Solution:
o Create a list of three potential solutions – Include a list of three of the best solutions to the problem and why you selected the one ‘best’ solution to your problem. Why were the other possible solutions not used?
o Discuss why your solution is better than similar solutions that currently exist? Explain how you determined that your solution is indeed the best. This is where your secondary / primary research will come in handy.
Prototype:
Build, draw, visualize, diagram, etc. a solution to the problem.
o The actual prototype can be simple, but should get your point across
o If you physically build it, use household items (it does not have to be commercially viable)
o What specific problem does your prototype address?
o Explain your design choices and the proposed function of the prototype and its components in detail. What would the folks at IDEO tell you about your design?
o Explain how you incorporated the feedback from your idea network.
o Please make sure your prototype is somewhat feasible
• With your written paper, also submit at least one photo or scanned image of the prototype
