The Skill of Problem Identification

Perhaps the most intuitive skill we have is one that has to be conditioned and refined by almost every individual during his or her life. That is the skill of being able to see a problem and to see it clearly enough as to identify its boundaries. Seek to understand what is related to this problem, extensions of the problem, and perhaps extensions not part of the problem. Make sure you know when you are looking at. Is it a separate problem in itself?

Problem identification is often most easy to perform when you are frustrated. Anyone who becomes part of a frustrating situation is actually facing an opportunity to solve a problem. While driving, walking, working, or playing—we all experience times that we see something and say to ourselves, “I could have thought up a much better solution to this . . . ” Well, at that moment, think about what you are seeing, what you are experiencing, and record mentally what you would do to make it better. Immediately ask yourself, “Do you suppose anyone has ever thought of my idea before?” And if not, why not?

This invention skill can be consciously trained and refined every day if you continuously seek to identify problem areas, new technology areas, new services areas, and new utility areas—virtually any area where problems exist. When you become frustrated, look hard around you to understand why this situation is occurring. Invent a solution right there on the spot.

Seek to identify these problems by understanding the subject matter in greater depth. Separate problems when multiple problems exist. Consider sharing your ideas with trusted others with the sole intention of co-inventing a stronger solution idea. Many ideas can spawn many other ideas. We have discussed the benefit of intention teams; these are “patent spawning teams.”^[1] These teams record everything that is discussed and keep it as record for future spawning of ideas. Keep records of any and all searches that occur as a result of thinking about the solution space or problem space. Record all prior art that is discovered and note the differences in your idea(s) and the prior art. We discussed this in greater detail in Chapter 5, “Invention Evaluation Teams,” and will now explore the skills involved on these teams that work to deliver a successful result.

^[1] “Patent Spawning” teams can be created and trained for the purpose of harvesting IP and spawning patents, and/or IP assets. This can be done surrounding any subject. Please contact the Author(s) for detailed information related to workshops entitled, “Patent Spawning Teams.” For more information, e-mail [email protected].