Problem Definition

We will not discuss this content in class, so this module stands alone. You'll need these ideas in order to complete the Problem Definition Task.

View at least the middle portion of this video on problem definition. The section on problem definition starts at 9:21 and ends at 22:49. (The whole video is under 25 minutes, and is relevant to problem solving more generally, if you are inclined to view it all.)

Karl Ulrich on Problem Definition Links to an external site.

(Incidentally, this is an example of the instructional module I've asked you to prepare. You can use Media Site to make this type of video using one of the Wharton classroom consoles. I could probably have cut the 13 minute section on problem definition to 5 minutes, but one of Parkinson's Laws Links to an external site. applied and the content ended up expanding to fill the 25 minutes budgeted for the video. Be careful about that.)

Optional Reading
Ulrich, Karl T. 2011. Design: Creation of Artifacts in Society. Chapter 3: "Design Problem Definition." Links to an external site. This chapter discusses the "5 Whys" and other issues in problem definition as related to design problems. Exhibit 3-3 and the section preceding it provide another example of a hierarchy of problems, which you might find helpful in clarifying the concept.