Problem Definition

(Need Analysis)

Madhawa Herath
B.Sc Eng. (Hons.), C. Eng., MBA (PIM Sri J.), PMP (PMI USA), MIESL, MIEEE, MIET

Source : Lecture notes by Prof. Chandana Perera

Prescriptive Process – Need / Problem Definition

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Prescriptive Process – Problem Definition

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Problem Definition – Information & User Data

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Problem Statement or Solution?

• Retractable studs are required on tires to

reduce the chance of skidding during icy
weather.
• Timed stoplights are required at the
intersection of 8th St. and Preston Ave. to
reduce traffic congestion.
• I need gloves with leather palms that do not
wear out fast.
• A device is required to immobilize a broken
clavicle in a first aid field setting.

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Problem Statement or Solution? (continued)

• My phone needs a unique ring tone for each

caller so I know who to ignore.
• A system is required to heat houses during the
winter and cool them during the summer
without using fossil fuel energy.
• We need a new tire with 25 mm x 25 mm tread,
studs, and a low temperature rubber
composition.

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Problem Statement or Solution? (continued)

• A method is required to predict

accurately the performance of wind
turbines in an urban setting.
• A separate bike lane is required on 2nd
Ave. to reduce the chance of
automobile/bicycle collisions.

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Needs Identification

➢ What is the Problem?

1. Collect information
2. Interpret information
3. Organize needs hierarchy
4. Determine relative importance of needs
5. Review outcomes and process

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Problem Statement

➢ Need: Drivers have difficulty seeing

obstructions in all directions

➢ Objective: design system to avoid

accidents

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Requirements Specification
➢ Identifies requirements design must satisfy
for success
1. Marketing requirements
▪ Customer needs
2. Safety requirements
▪ User should not be injured while using
▪ No electrical hazard
3. Ergonomic requirements
4. Energy requirements
▪ Average power consumption of 2 watts
▪ Peak current draw of 1 amp
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Constraints

➢Economic
➢Environmental
➢Ethical and Legal
➢Health and Safety
➢Manufacturability
➢Political and Social
➢Sustainability

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Example

• Customer needs a solution to a problem

of designing a safe ladder for
electricians

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Safe Ladder: Objectives & Constraints
Safe Ladder: Objectives & Constraints
• Ladder should be useful
• Used to string conduit and wire in ceilings
• Used to maintain and repair outlets in high places
• Used to replace light bulb and fixtures
• Used outdoors on level ground
• Should be reasonably stiff
• Should be reach to required height
• Must be safe
• Should be relatively inexpensive
• Must be portable between job sites
• Should be light
• Must be durable
Safe Ladder: Intended Objective List
• The ladder should be safe
– Should be stable
• Stable on floors and smooth surfaces
• Stable on relatively level ground
– Should be reasonably stiff
• The ladder should be marketable
– Should be useful
• Useful for indoors
– Useful for electrical work
– Useful for maintenance work
• Useful for outdoors
• Should be of right height
– Should be relatively inexpensive
– Should be portable
• Should be light in weight
• Should small when transport
– Should be durable
Objective Tree Stable
On Floors

On level
Safe Ground
Stiff

Electrical
Indoors
Safe Ladder Maintenance
Useful Outdoors

Inexpensive Of Right
Height

Marketable Light in
Weight
Portable
Small when
Transport
Durable
Establishing Metrics for Objectives
Objective Metric Target
Stable on floor Weight carry without slipping 75kg
Stable on level ground Weight carry without slipping
Stiff Weight carry without bending
Usability for electrical Ability for electrical work
work indoors
Usability for maintenance Ability for maintenance work
work indoors
Usability outdoors Usability outdoors
Reach to required height Max Height
Inexpensive Cost
Light weight weight
Small Size when transport
Durable Ability to resist failures, break
Requirements -> Engineering Terms Product Features

Stable on
floor

Should not
slip on
ground

Provide
higher friction
with ground
 electrical
work
indoors

Stable No current
position to through
work ladder

Provide Provide
Platform insulation
Problem Identification and Requirements Specification

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Example Needs Hierarchy

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End of Lecture

Q A & Session.

Madhawa Herath
madhawa.h@sliit.lk
0722 866 866 | 0777 07 07 18
3rd Floor, Faculty of Engineering, SLIIT, Malabe