Filtering Out Problems
To identify User Problems, we decided to revisit the recently constructed Affinity Diagram. Going through each sticky note as a group, we categorized our notes into one of three categories: Problem, Constraint, or Observation. We decided to color-code using the following key:
Teal = Problem
Yellow = Constraint
White = Observation
An updated view of the Affinity Diagram is shown below
Constructing Our Problem Definition Chart
With the Problems filtered out from the Affinity Diagram, the group then sorted through these problems to define User Problems, uncover Root Problems, and write Problem Statements. Our completed chart can be found here: Problem Definition – Sheet1
Filtering Out Constraints from Affinity Diagram
Next, we focused our attention on identifying constraint groupings, based on similarity. We reorganized the sticky notes into these groups on the Miro board to visualize the categories. Below is our final constraint diagram.
With the sticky notes now in groups, we worked to formulate a list of representative and concise constraint statements that would help mold the future of out project.
The final constraints are as follows.
Constraints:
1. The solution must be compatible with various desk sizes, shapes, and overall setups. Also, the solution should not encroach on the user’s working space.
2. The solution must facilitate different viewing angles and options; allow for the user to stand/sit freely when they choose. The solution must promote activity.
3. The solution must promote ample lighting either from natural light or light bulbs when the workspace is in use.
4. The solution must comply with the wall that many desks are up against. The solution is constrained by the boundary of the wall/window.
5. The solution must allow for adequate storage (of desk related supplies?).
6. The solution must support a physical and/or mental separation between the users’ work life and home life.
7. The solution should not require permanent changes to the user’s residence and remain non-intrusive.
8. The solution must clearly communicate users’ allowance for distractions.
Reflection:
What did you learn here? How will this help you move forward with your project?
The problem definition assignment allowed us to reassess our affinity diagram and categorize things by constraints, problems, and observations. We learned that most of our constraints seem to be physical constraints; those that limit the physical envelope our product can employ. When developing our problem statements, we learned that most of our initial categories from research, the survey, and our affinity diagram were still important; noise distractions, work-life balance, and comfort are important aspects. Noise distractions include those made by housemates walking or talking, and those from external sources such as cars, sirens, and lawn mowers. The work-life balance as it relates to our project includes being held accountable for how time is spent during working hours and troubles remaining focused in the correct mindset. Comfort includes the physical configuration of a person’s workspace, feeling unworried about how their space is portrayed to others while on a video or audio call, having the storage and organizational space to compartmentalize tasks, and having adequate privacy to handle sensitive information without worry.
Now that we have identified what aspects are important to our final design, we can more clearly target our solution to handle these challenges.
What has become more clear for your team? And/or, what remains unclear still?
This assignment brought much clarity to our team. Prior to the assignment, we were still unsure exactly what the specific constraints were and what many of the problems would be when designing the solution. Although this assignment has not brought clarity to what the solution will be, it gave us guidance as to the main issues that we must focus on as we move further along in the design process. Another important part of the assignment for us was creating specific constraints for our project. This was really the first time we had clearly acknowledged and verbalized the real constraints we face. From the problem definition, we were able to recognize the problems we would be facing that we initially discussed as well as some other problems that we had not recognized until we started this assignment. The only parts that remain unclear are how we will impose these generated constraints on our design and the specific metrics that will be used to find solutions to these newfound problems.
Which elements of the project do you feel confident or excited about? Which elements are you still feeling unsure about?
As a group, we are excited to move forward with the project and begin thinking of possible solutions. As we move forward, we are confident with many of the physical constraints, and we understand how these might affect the final product. On the other hand, we are slightly unsure about some of the constraints that cannot be quantitatively measured. For example, many of the problem statements relate to the “work-life balance” of the user and how working from home can be too comfortable, which are not easily measurable metrics. So as we move forward with the design process, we must begin to think of ways to measure the effect that our product has on someone’s work-life balance.
What was challenging about this phase in the design process?
The most challenging thing in this phase was to recognize which data from our survey should be categorized as constraints and which were problems. Sometimes, our data points could be recognized as both a constraint and a problem, but needed to be treated separately because different people offered different perspectives. A constraint concluded from a problem may or may not apply to other problems, yet the problems are the thing we really need to deal with. Another tricky part of this phase was to identify a metric. It could be simple when dealing with measurable things like noise and physical space; however, when considering subjective feelings like comfortability, rejection to interruption, and preferred arrangement, very few quantifiable data could be generated. The group did come up with a few solutions but more work needs to be done in considering metrics. With the guidance of the US Department of Labor, data regarding “good working positions,” could help us define comfortability.