Firstly, we had a guest lecture with Eva-Lotta Sallnäs. She talked a lot about her research about haptics and communication. She talked that communication is a lot more than just talking (when communicating face to face). Communication is also through gestures (pointing), facial, gaze, position etc.
We had another a guest lecture with Haibo Li about Design Research whom discussed 5 steps going from idea to product:
How to come up with an idea? = re-state the problem
How to filter ideas? = business mind
How to validate an idea? = proof of concept
How to evaluate an idea? = prototype
How to communicate your idea? = elevator pitch
Haibo mentioned that it is very easy for researcher to lock-in themselves to tools and mindsets that they are comfortable with. This limits not only the researcher but also the research they are undergoing.
It is extremely important to define a problem correctly. Most people put 10% in defining problem, and 90% to solve problems. However, it should be the other way around. If you defined problem well, you are probably very close to solving it. It is also crucial to find an easy solution instead of making things more complicated and thus also making the solution more difficult. People might believe that the more complicated a research looks like the better it is. This is not correct though. A solution is still a solution so therefore it is better to find the most straightforward and easy one, though these are more difficult to spot.
It is extremely important to define a problem correctly. Most people put 10% in defining problem, and 90% to solve problems. However, it should be the other way around. If you defined problem well, you are probably very close to solving it. It is also crucial to find an easy solution instead of making things more complicated and thus also making the solution more difficult. People might believe that the more complicated a research looks like the better it is. This is not correct though. A solution is still a solution so therefore it is better to find the most straightforward and easy one, though these are more difficult to spot.
I enjoyed this lecture since it was a bit more hands-on and understandable.
Excellent reflection.
SvaraRaderaLeif
Hi,
SvaraRaderaYour reflection reminds me all the points that Haibo Li's mentioned in his lecture. I found very useful information from his lecture. It is common that people don't invest so much time on defining and analysing the problem which can lead to failure of the project. I am strongly agree with Haibo's point of view that, solution is normally easy and simple not that complicated as people mostly try to make. I liked your statement, 'solution is still a solution so therefore it is better to find the most straightforward and easy one'.
Great job, keep it up !
Great reflection! I think that it is interesting what you bring up about communication and that it is lot more than just words. She mentioned that it is more difficult to communicate over the phone, because you can't see the other person and even more difficult with written communication. I guess that's why we had to invent emoticons to ease communication and prevent misunderstandings.
SvaraRaderaAlso what you wrote about about Haibo Lis' message feels similar to the 6th topic, and that a priori knowledge to solve problems isn't always the best way. And that it is important for an engineer to be aware of that and go in to solving problems "open minded".