problem identification in mis

1. •© DIVAKAR

2. First step in the Process is with ...
› An Identification of a Problem…
› An Observed Need...
› A New Idea for a...
 Product
 System

3. Questions to Answer…
 Who ? - would need it
 What ? - is needed
 When ? - is it needed
 Where ? - is it needed
 Why ? - is it needed
 How Many ? - are needed

4. Problem Statement/Definition:
•These faucet handles look nice, but they are not functional
when your hands are wet and soapy.
•Redesign these handles so that when a persons hands are
wet and soapy, they can easily be gripped.
IDEA?
Problem Identification

5. Market Research
Marketing department asked to try and find out
how much of a demand there is for the proposed
new product.
Accomplished through the use of surveys.
Prepare graphs and charts to visually
present the results of the surveys.

6. Design Brief
• A clear and concise description of the problem.
• Identification of the needs to solve the problem.
• List any design constraints (limits), such as function,
appearance, time, legal issues, cost, etc.

7. Identification & Classification of Design
Specification & Constraints
• Aesthetics
• Time
• Information
• Capital
• Tools &
Machines
• Energy
• Materials
• People
• Ethics
Specifications & Constraints include the following areas:

8. Aesthetics
• Express what is known about taste and appeal in a certain
market.
• What “look” will speak to the consumer?
Example:

9. Time Constraints
• Will there be enough time to develop and implement the solution?
Examples
• If the product is delayed for six months, what other products that
fill this need will be on the market?
• What new materials or processes will be available that could
make this design obsolete?
• Is the aesthetic appeal rapidly changing in this area so that the
product will look dated before it is ever released?

10. Information
• Once the problem has been defined, the design team generates ideas
for solving it.
• Have you ever thought of a great idea for a new product only to find out
later someone else is already making it?
• When you are designing a device or system, the first thing to check is
what designs may already be in use.
• The history of a product or concept helps to define the known
limitations.

11. Information
• A thorough literature search for similar products and background
information is a good starting place.
• It can keep you from “reinventing the wheel” and provide inspiration
that improves the quality of the ideas you generate.
• It is always a good idea to research and collect data about the subject
of your design.
Some places to look for history and existing information are:
• Patent Searches
• World Wide Web
• Consumer Surveys
• Competition Reviews

12. • PATENT SEARCHES and the WORLD WIDE WEB are a huge source
of existing information.
• The U.S. patent file contains around 5 million patents and is the world’s
largest storehouse of technological information.
• Searching on the Internet for information related to your design is a
great starting point for more research.
Information

13. • Another great place to get information is from the consumer.
• CONSUMER SURVEYS are conducted frequently.
• Marketing surveys and consumer questionnaires provide important
feedback. Think about all those product registration cards you have
filled out.
Why does the manufacturer need all of that information ?
• Who buys their products
• How to price products
• Features that consumers desire
• Problems they could solve or improvements that could be made
Information

14. Capital
• Is there going to be enough money to fund the product?
• Generally, the greater quantity produced, the lower the overall unit
cost of the product.
• Many things affect the cost of a product, such as…
• Materials
• Manufacturing Methods
• Equipment costs
• Labor costs
• Availability of Raw Materials
• Reliability of Supply

15. Tool & Machines
• Are there sufficient tooling and machinery to produce the product?
• If a large amount of equipment has to be purchased to produce the
part, it might not be worth it.

16. Energy
• If the product requires energy, what type will be used ?
• Electricity: AC or DC
Battery or Cord
• Fossil Fuels: Oil
Gasoline
Natural Gas
Propane
• Other: Gravity
Wind

17. Materials
A large number of factors will determine the material used for
the manufacture of the product.
Strength Elasticity Ductility Fatigue
Hardness Brittleness Damping Toughness
Elasticity Wearing Corrosion Toxicity
Machinability Forgeability Formability Castability
Weldability Appearance Temperature Range
Bearing Characteristics

18. Materials
• In many cases the function of the part will determine the
specific material used for manufacture.
• In other cases, there is more discretion in the choice of
material.
• In some cases, the availability of some materials can
influence its selection, as well as, its properties.

19. People
• The make-up of a companies workforce can also play a part
in the decision making process in the manufacture of a
product or part.
• A major problem that is common in many industries is the
lack of an educated and trainable workforce.

20. Ethics
rules of behavior based on ideas about what is
morally good and bad

21. Ethics
• Ethics is the study of standards of right and wrong dealing with morals,
conduct, duty, fairness, and judgment.
• A set of ethical values for the engineer might include the following:
- Obeying the law
- Keeping promises, contracts, and employment agreements
- Respecting the rights of others
- Being fair
- Preventing harm to others
- Helping others in need
- Helping others in the application of these values