SoE Senior Design Thesis Research Assistance

Arguably the most important step, Identify the Problem or Need is about understanding exactly what needs to be solved before jumping into ideas or solutions. It requires slowing down and asking thoughtful questions rather than rushing ahead.

Key Parts of Identifying the Problem

1. Clarify the Need
   • What is the challenge?
   • Who is experiencing the problem (users, organizations, communities)?
   • Why does it matter?
2. Define Success
   • What will a successful solution look like?
   • What goals must be met (e.g., safer, faster, cheaper, more sustainable)?
3. Recognize the Context
   • Are there environmental, social, or ethical factors to consider?
   • What limitations might exist (budget, time, technology, laws)?
4. Reframe if Necessary
   • Sometimes the real problem isn’t the one first described. For example, if people say they “need a faster car,” the true problem might be “needing more efficient transportation.” Engineers are trained to dig deeper.

Although this step appears basic, it's important to give it time and consideration. By taking your time and working to understand the problem or need you mitigate wasted effort—if you don’t fully understand the problem, you risk spending time and energy on the wrong solution. It also builds communication skills, since you need to ask thoughtful questions, listen carefully, and restate the problem clearly so that everyone involved agrees on what needs to be solved. Most importantly, it mirrors professional practice. In real-world engineering, problems are rarely handed to you in a neat, well-defined package. Part of the engineer’s job is to scope and frame the challenge, making sure the right problem is being addressed before moving forward with ideas and solutions.

Imagine your team is asked to design a water bottle. If you only hear “design a water bottle,” you might focus on appearance or size. But if you ask questions, you might find the real problem is:

• Users want a lightweight, leak-proof bottle that keeps drinks cold for hours, costs under $10, and is easy to recycle.

Now, instead of designing just any bottle, you’re solving the right problem.