INST104: Concept 3 - Root Problems + Grand Challenges

A Grand Challenge is an ambitious, complex problem that:

• Affects many people or has broad societal impact

• Requires innovation across multiple disciplines

• Doesn’t have an obvious or simple solution, they are very very hard to solve

• Inspires collaborative problem-solving

• Recognized by funders, universities, business as requiring work

Examples of Grand Challenges

• Climate Change: Reducing carbon emission and adapting to environmental shifts

• Clean Water Access: Ensuring safe drinking water for all communities

• Healthcare Equity: Making quality healthcare accessible and affordable

• Education: Providing learning opportunities for everyone

UMD’s Grand Challenges 2022

• Climate change

• Social injustice

• Global health

• Education disparities

• Poverty

• Threats to democracy

The Grand Challenge Problem Solving Access

• Define the Challenge: What’s the core problem? Who does it affect?

• Research & Understand: What do we know? What don’t we know?

• Identify Stakeholders: Who is impacted? Who can help solve it?

• Brainstorm Solutions: Generate diverse ideas from multiple angles

• Prototype & Test: Try solutions, learn from failures, iterate.

Step 1: Define the Challenge

A Bit Too Vague: “How can we solve hunger?” (Too broad, no clear scope or context)

Good: “How might we reduce food waste in our campus dining halls while ensuring students have enough to eat?” (Specific, actionable. considers constraints)

Ask: What exactly is the problem? Where does it happen? Who experiences it? What are the boundaries?

Step 2: Research & Understand

You can’t solve what you don’t understand

• Gather Data: Statistics, studies, existing research

• Talk to People: Interviews, surveys, observations

• Find Root Causes: Why does this problem exist?

Step 3: Identify Stakeholders

1. Who cares about this problem'? (Primary Stakeholders)

2. Secondary Stakeholders (Organizations, institutions, or groups involved)

3. Solution Providers (Experts, innovators, or those with resources to help)

Remember: The people experiencing the problem often have the best insights into solutions.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Grand Challenges need diverse expertise.

Example: Designing a Community Garden

• Environmental Science: Soil health, native plants

• Engineering: Irrigation systems, structures

• Design: Layout, accessibility, aesthetics

• Social Science: Community needs, engagement

• Business: Funding, sustainability model

• Communication: Outreach, education programs

What is a Root Problem?

The fundamental, underlying cause that triggers a chain of effects leading to the symptoms we observe.

Why We Miss Root Problems

We May Jump to Conclusions

• Our brains want quick answers, and is always using heuristics to get there.

• We see a problem and immediately think of fixes.

We May Accept the Obvious

• The first explanation often seems sufficient so we stop digging

We May Solve for Ourselves

• We assume others’ problems match our own experiences (going back to thinking critically about design and biases)

We May Fact Time Pressure

• Deep analysis takes time, and deadlines push us toward quick fixes.

• "Good Enough” is often pushed in the manufacturing of goods.Root

Root Problems are Typically…

• Systemic (not individual choices)

• Structural (policies, contracts, organizational design)

• Often uncomfortable (they implicate decisions made by institutions, not just users)

• About misaligned incentives (different stakeholders with competing interests)

The Five Why’s: Understanding Why There is Error

How Many “Whys” Do You Need?

• Usually between 3 and 7 questions

Superficial Solutions

• Problem: Students are falling asleep in class

• Deeper Problem: Students work night shifts to afford tuition

• Superficial Solution: Play loud music, install brighter lights

• Root Question: Why do students need to work night shifts to afford tuition?

  • ROOT: Economic accessibility of education

  • Solutions: Redesign financial aid, address structural costs, advocate for policy change

Problem: The campus cafe is always running out of coffee by noon

• Why? → Because demand is higher than expected

• Why is demand higher? → Because students need coffee between classes

• Why do they need it then specifically? → Because their early classes start at 8am

• Why is that a problem? → Because they don’t have time for breakfast before

• Why not? → Because campus housing doesn’t having kitchen facilities

• Why no kitchens? → Housing designed for density/cost, not student needs

ROOT PROBLEM: Housing infrastructure prioritizes space efficiency and liability concerns over supporting students’ basic daily needs

Systems Thinking

Understanding interconnections and feedback loops