Question

The purpose of this assignment is to create a design challenge that highlights various problem-solving techniques. Write a paper of approximately 250-500 words utilizing a business writing format to present and frame the design challenge. Reference the example provided in The Field Guide to Human-Centered Design for additional information. Address the following:

What problem are you trying to solve? Who will be affected by the problem?

To what degree will the group identified be affected?

Consider that new technologies are being developed and are emerging through the hype cycle. Imagine some of the converging technology within the next 2-5 years that might enable a solution to your problem. Conduct research on companies or groups that are working on these emerging technologies. Discuss how human-centered design and technological advances could offer possible solutions to the problem you are trying to solve.

What are some of the initial constraints? For example, does the target customer segment have money to pay for it? Is a particular resource too expensive? Does the target need to be educated about how to use the product?

What are some possible variants to the design challenge? For example, are there substitute resources, different adjustments to the value property, or other modifications to the business model that could make it viable?

Answer 1

“What problem are you trying to solve?”

The problem with higher education today

Students go to college an average of 5 years to obtain an undergraduate degree and spend about $34,000. All this to be “prepared” for their career and get that job they really want. But, you are only really learning what is relevant to your career 1/4 of the time sometimes even less. Connecting with companies that want to hire young employees and working with them to create a very specific training programs is what should be done.

“Who will be affected by the problem?”

Teens graduating high school, and college students who are buried in student debt.

“To what degree will the group identified be affected?”

Students are being affected severely as students are spending an average of $34,740 on tuition and 6 years in higher education institutions.

“Consider that new technologies are being developed and are emerging through the hype cycle. Imagine some of the converging technology within the next 2-5 years that might enable a solution to your problem. Conduct research on companies or groups that are working on these emerging technologies. Discuss how human-centered design and technological advances could offer possible solutions to the problem you are trying to solve.”

Career training programs are the key to this problem. Developing training programs that students can take part of after graduating high school even before they graduate. This would eliminate the student debt problem all together as students would no longer need to attend any higher education institution in order to obtain a successful career.

In a recent tweet from Elon Musk he states “There's no need even to have a college degree at all, or even high school” when describing the kind of people who can work for him. Elon is one of the most successful people in the world now and if he is able to hire students who have not even graduated high school that really means something.

“What are some of the initial constraints? For example, does the target customer segment have money to pay for it? Is a resource too expensive? Does the target need to be educated about how to use the product?”

A constraint when it comes the solution of Training programs would be the creation of them. There would have to be many kinds of programs made for every individual company that is hiring and more specifically for the position you want to work in.

“What are some possible variants to the design challenge? For example, are there substitute resources, different adjustments to the value property, or other modifications to the business model that could make it viable? “

I believe the solution to be very viable and very effective. The biggest variable to be found in this solution is the creation of the training programs and that would be created by the individual company that wants to hire employees.