Prof. Steve TelloProf. Steve TelloProf. Ralph JordanProf. Ralph Jordan

Workshop I:Workshop I:

Identifying Problems Identifying Problems Team BuildingTeam Building

Tonight’s AgendaTonight’s Agenda

•6:00 – 6:306:00 – 6:30 Welcome, Introductions, Welcome, Introductions, OverviewOverview

•6:30 – 7:006:30 – 7:00 What makes a “good” problem?What makes a “good” problem?

•7:00 – 7:30 7:00 – 7:30 Team Building around problemsTeam Building around problems

http://www.uml.edu/differencemaker

DifferenceMaker TeamDifferenceMaker Team

StaffStaff•Ha PhoHa Pho•Holly ButlerHolly Butler

CoopsCoops•James AbdallahJames Abdallah•Gianni FalzoneGianni Falzone•Michael JanninoMichael Jannino•Faith MalayFaith Malay

Faculty FellowsFaculty Fellows•Prof. John BrownProf. John Brown GSEGSE•Prof. Guanling ChenProf. Guanling Chen CSCS•Prof. Deb. FinchProf. Deb. Finch MSBMSB•Prof. Ralph JordanProf. Ralph Jordan MSBMSB•Prof. Val KijewksiProf. Val Kijewksi MSBMSB•Prof. Ainat KoranProf. Ainat Koran CHSCHS•Prof. Chad MontrieProf. Chad Montrie FAHSSFAHSS•Prof. Dan SullivanProf. Dan Sullivan ENGENG

http://www.uml.edu/differencemakerhttp://www.uml.edu/differencemaker

Welcome to the $25K Idea Challenge!Welcome to the $25K Idea Challenge!

•25 applications as of today25 applications as of todayAll Applications due Feb. 24!All Applications due Feb. 24!

•All 6 Colleges ParticipatingAll 6 Colleges Participating•New Products, New Services, New CausesNew Products, New Services, New Causes•Thank you all for joining the Idea Challenge!Thank you all for joining the Idea Challenge!•So what have you gotten yourself into?So what have you gotten yourself into?

http://www.uml.edu/differencemaker

What Is Next?What Is Next?

•9 weeks to Idea Challenge Event – April 159 weeks to Idea Challenge Event – April 15•Build your TeamBuild your Team•Research your Problem, Opportunity and SolutionResearch your Problem, Opportunity and Solution•Prepare a 3-5 minute Rocket Pitch, Project Prepare a 3-5 minute Rocket Pitch, Project

Executive Summary and Poster Executive Summary and Poster •Build your online E-PortfolioBuild your online E-Portfolio•Then impress the Judges!Then impress the Judges!

http://www.uml.edu/differencemaker

So Tell Us About You, Your Team So Tell Us About You, Your Team & Your Challenge & Your Challenge

•Introduce your TeamIntroduce your Team•Tell us about the Challenge you are solvingTell us about the Challenge you are solving•Do you need additional help?Do you need additional help?•In 1 minute In 1 minute

http://www.uml.edu/differencemaker

Problem/Solution ModelProblem/Solution Model

The Rocket PitchThe Rocket Pitch• The Problem The Problem

What problem are you addressing? Customer pain?What problem are you addressing? Customer pain? Who is affected by the problem?Who is affected by the problem?

• The OpportunityThe Opportunity Demonstrate your knowledge regarding the opportunity associated with Demonstrate your knowledge regarding the opportunity associated with

solving this problem.solving this problem. Estimate the number of people affected by the problemEstimate the number of people affected by the problem

• The SolutionThe Solution What is your proposed solution? What is your proposed solution? Who value does your solution provide? How will you sustain it?Who value does your solution provide? How will you sustain it?

• Call to ActionCall to Action What do you want? How will you use funds?What do you want? How will you use funds? Funding, advice, contacts, board members?Funding, advice, contacts, board members?

http://www.uml.edu/differencemaker

Rocket Pitch: Selling Your IdeaRocket Pitch: Selling Your Idea

•A Succinct Delivery of your proposed solution!A Succinct Delivery of your proposed solution!•3 slides in 3 minutes (alright, maybe 5 : - )3 slides in 3 minutes (alright, maybe 5 : - )

What Makes a Good Idea Challenge Problem?What Makes a Good Idea Challenge Problem?

• A problem that matters to you, and to othersA problem that matters to you, and to others Typically a problem with some social importanceTypically a problem with some social importance

• A problem that others understandA problem that others understand Can you can quickly explain the problem in a way that others Can you can quickly explain the problem in a way that others

understandunderstand

• A problem that elicits multiple perspectives A problem that elicits multiple perspectives • A problem with tangible solutionsA problem with tangible solutions• A problem that maps to award categoriesA problem that maps to award categories

2013 Idea Challenge Categories2013 Idea Challenge Categories• Campus-wide DifferenceMakerCampus-wide DifferenceMaker

Developing Nation ProstheticDeveloping Nation Prosthetic

• Contribution to a Sustainable EnvironmentContribution to a Sustainable Environment Lowell Sprouts/Lets Grow Lowell, Hybrid Power TrikeLowell Sprouts/Lets Grow Lowell, Hybrid Power Trike

• First to MarketFirst to Market GrabABite, Point StickGrabABite, Point Stick

• Innovative TechnologyInnovative Technology Robotic Feeding Arm, NotojaRobotic Feeding Arm, Notoja

• Significant Social ImpactSignificant Social Impact Healthy Habits, Bright Future GenerationHealthy Habits, Bright Future Generation

Step I – Define the ProblemStep I – Define the Problem

•Clearly state the problem you want to solve•Define who is affected by the problem

Specifics count here! Who? How many? What color are their eyes? How are they affected?

•How important is it to solve this problem?•Details are important•Best way to find this information:

Research & Talking to People

http://www.uml.edu/differencemaker

Step I – Define the ProblemStep I – Define the Problem•Take 5 Minutes and Start to Define the Problem

• What is the problem you wish to solve?• Who is affected by the problem?• How significant is this problem? • Why is it important to solve this problem?• What don’t you know about this problem?• What do you need help with? • Where can you find answers?

http://www.uml.edu/differencemaker

Answering these QuestionsAnswering these Questions

•Resources to helpResources to help First, talk to the people affected by the problemFirst, talk to the people affected by the problem Talk to the people you will implement or use your solutionTalk to the people you will implement or use your solution

•Library – E LibraryLibrary – E Library Contact the Reference Librarian for your areaContact the Reference Librarian for your area

•DM Faculty FellowsDM Faculty Fellows•Fellow StudentsFellow Students

Workshop II – Assess the OpportunityWorkshop II – Assess the Opportunity

•Demonstrate your knowledge regarding the Demonstrate your knowledge regarding the scope of the opportunity associated with scope of the opportunity associated with solving this problemsolving this problem

•You already started this in Step IYou already started this in Step I•How is the problem currently addressed?How is the problem currently addressed?•Who is currently addressing this problem?Who is currently addressing this problem?•How can current solutions be improved upon?How can current solutions be improved upon?

http://www.uml.edu/differencemaker

HomeworkHomework

•Before our next workshop, Feb. 19Before our next workshop, Feb. 19Try to answer these questionsTry to answer these questions

• Talk to 25 people about the problemTalk to 25 people about the problem Develop a list of 5-10 questionsDevelop a list of 5-10 questions Who are the people affected by the problem?Who are the people affected by the problem? Why is it important to solve this problem?Why is it important to solve this problem? What bothers people the most about the problem?What bothers people the most about the problem? Who else has attempted to solve the problem?Who else has attempted to solve the problem? How effective are current solutions/attempts?How effective are current solutions/attempts?Be prepared to discuss in the workshop.Be prepared to discuss in the workshop.

What’s Next?What’s Next?

•Wed., Feb. 19, 6-7:30 PMWed., Feb. 19, 6-7:30 PM•Identifying OpportunitiesIdentifying Opportunities

•Application due Feb. 24, but get it in sooner!Application due Feb. 24, but get it in sooner!

http://www.uml.edu/differencemaker

Upcoming EventsUpcoming Events

Contact UsContact Us

•differencemaker@uml.edu•www.uml.edu/differencemaker•@difference_uml @difference_uml