Hi there! I’m Ryan, and I work as the Head of Software at Zipline. Zipline is a company that uses drones to deliver important medical supplies like blood and vaccines to remote areas in Africa. These places are often hard to reach, so we face many challenges every day. To tackle these challenges, we use a method called the Problem Solving Process. This method helps us find solutions in a structured way. Let’s dive into how it works!
The Problem Solving Process consists of four main steps:
Let’s see how we use this process at Zipline:
We started by identifying the problem. First, when people need blood, they need it fast. Second, blood is tricky to store because it has different types and doesn’t last long. Third, many areas don’t have good roads for delivery.
To prepare a solution, we traveled to Africa and talked to local doctors who know these challenges well. We learned that a central blood storage facility could be very helpful if we could deliver blood to remote clinics quickly.
We brainstormed different ideas and came up with the idea of using drones. These drones would be shaped like small airplanes and could fly long distances over rough terrain. They would drop blood packages using parachutes and then return to the base.
Next, we tested our idea. We built a central blood storage facility and created several drones. We tested their ability to fly, navigate, and return safely. We learned a lot from these tests, including what worked well and what didn’t.
Finally, we reflected on our work. We looked back at the original problem and assessed whether our solution was better than existing methods. We also thought about how our approach could be used for other challenges, like delivering medicine or organs, or even picking up items from remote places. We considered how this solution could be applied in other countries too.
The Problem Solving Process is useful in many areas, whether you’re dealing with creative projects, personal issues, or even big life questions. By following these four steps, you can come up with a plan to tackle any problem you face!
Think about a problem you face in your daily life, whether it’s related to school, home, or a hobby. Write a short paragraph describing the problem clearly. Remember, the first step in the Problem Solving Process is to define the problem accurately!
Once you’ve defined your problem, research how others have solved similar issues. Create a list of at least three different strategies or solutions that have been used in the past. Then, brainstorm your own ideas and write them down. This will help you prepare for the next step.
Choose one of the solutions you brainstormed and put it into action. Document each step you take and note any challenges you encounter. This hands-on experience will help you understand what works and what doesn’t.
After trying your solution, take some time to reflect on the process. Write a reflection on what went well and what could be improved. Consider how you might adjust your approach if you were to try solving the problem again.
Join a group of classmates and share your problem-solving experiences. Discuss the different problems each of you tackled and the solutions you tried. Offer feedback and suggestions to each other, and see if you can come up with new ideas together.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hi, I’m Ryan, and I’m the Head of Software at Zipline. Zipline operates across Africa using drones to deliver life-saving medical products like blood and vaccines to remote areas that are hard to reach. We encounter various challenges daily, and we often find solutions.
Did you know there’s a structured approach to solving problems? It’s called the Problem Solving Process, which consists of four basic steps:
1. **Define** – Identify the problem.
2. **Prepare** – Research previous solutions and brainstorm new ideas.
3. **Try** – Implement a plan and test what works.
4. **Reflect** – Review the outcomes to see what was effective and what could be improved for future efforts.
Let’s explore how this process is applied at Zipline.
We began by defining the problem. First, when people need blood, they need it quickly. Second, blood is challenging to store due to its various types and short shelf life. Third, many regions lack reliable roads for delivery.
Next, we prepared a solution. We traveled to Africa to meet with local doctors who understand these challenges best. We discovered that having a centralized blood storage facility could significantly help if we could transport blood to remote clinics on demand.
We brainstormed various ideas, and one potential solution was an airplane-shaped drone capable of flying long distances over rough terrain. The plan was for the drone to parachute drop blood packages at the destination and then return.
It was time to test our concept. Drawing from previous medical research, we built a blood storage facility in a central location to facilitate deliveries across the country. We also constructed numerous drones and tested their flight capabilities, including navigation and recovery.
Throughout this process, we experienced both successes and failures. We found that aerial delivery of blood was effective, but we also faced challenges like weather conditions and hardware issues that could hinder our progress. This prompted us to revisit our preparations and redefine our approach as new problems arose.
Eventually, we developed a functional solution! We took the time to reflect on our initial problem definition and assessed whether our solution was an improvement over existing methods. We also considered how our approach could be adapted to address other challenges, such as delivering medicine or organs, or even collecting items from remote locations. Furthermore, we explored the possibility of implementing this solution in other countries.
The Problem Solving Process is applicable in various fields—creative, personal, and even existential challenges. By following these four steps, you can develop a strategy to tackle any problem!
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This version maintains the core message while removing any informal language and ensuring clarity.
Problem – A situation that needs to be dealt with or solved. – Engineers often face the problem of designing structures that can withstand earthquakes.
Solving – The act of finding an answer to a problem. – Solving complex math equations is a crucial skill for engineers.
Process – A series of actions taken to achieve a particular end. – The process of building a bridge involves careful planning and execution.
Drones – Unmanned aerial vehicles used for various purposes, including engineering tasks. – Engineers use drones to inspect hard-to-reach areas of construction sites.
Delivery – The act of bringing goods or services to a particular place. – The delivery of construction materials is essential for the timely completion of a project.
Blood – The fluid that circulates in the bodies of humans and animals, often used metaphorically in engineering to describe essential elements. – In engineering, data is the lifeblood of decision-making processes.
Prepare – To make ready for a specific future purpose or task. – Engineers must prepare detailed plans before starting any construction project.
Reflect – To think carefully about something, often to learn from it. – After completing a project, engineers reflect on what went well and what could be improved.
Define – To clearly state the meaning or scope of something. – Before solving a problem, engineers must define the requirements and constraints.
Try – To make an attempt or effort to do something. – Engineers often try different approaches to find the most efficient solution to a problem.
