Individual Assignment 2

Creative Problem Solving:

This is an individual assignment. Every student joined a team in class on Wedesday.  Every team has a project.  Every project proposes to solve a problem, but we haven't yet proven to ourselves that we have identified the best business solution to that problem.  The assignment is to identify multiple possible solutions to the problem: 

1. Current Solutions: How do people currently solve the problem? Hint: it may not appear to be a direct competitor to your solution. Example: Instead of an electric scooter, I could ride a bike, take a bus or walk.

2. Preventative Solutions: How might someone prevent the problem from occurring in the first place? 

3. Competitive Solutions: How do your (potential) business competitors solve the problem? Name at least three.

4. Alternative Solutions: What's another way you could solve the problem? Name at least three.  Which is your favorite and why?

This is a case where the more solutions you can identify, the better.  In your response, be sure to identify which team you have joined.  

When searching for solutions, you might try using the Disney Creative Brainstorming Technique:

1. The Dreamer: list any idea, regardless how plausible, "magic wand" solutions, anything's possible!

2. The Realist: from your list, rework dreams into possibilities, only focus on the reasons it could work, "how?"

3. The Spoiler: now be critical of remaining ideas, shoot holes and see what survives, "why not?"

Also take a look at the slides to see the petal diagram for an interesting way to identify competition.