CROSSROADS—Identifying Viable “Need–Solution Pairs”: Problem Solving Without Problem Formulation

Abstract

Please scroll down for article-it is on subsequent pagesWith 12,500 members from nearly 90 countries, INFORMS is the largest international association of operations research (O.R.) and analytics professionals and students. INFORMS provides unique networking and learning opportunities for individual professionals, and organizations of all types and sizes, to better understand and use O.R. and analytics tools and methods to transform strategic visions and achieve better outcomes. For more information on INFORMS, its publications, membership, or meetings visit P roblem-solving research and formal problem-solving practice begin with the assumption that a problem has been identified or formulated for solving. The problem-solving process then involves a search for a satisfactory or optimal solution to that problem. In contrast, we propose that, in informal problem solving, a need and a solution are often discovered together and tested for viability as a "need-solution pair.'' For example, one may serendipitously discover a new solution and assess it to be worth adopting although the "problem" it would address had not previously been in mind as an object of search or even awareness. In such a case, problem identification and formulation, if done at all, come only after the discovery of the need-solution pair.We propose the identification of need-solution pairs as an approach to problem solving in which problem formulation is not required. We argue that discovery of viable need-solution pairs without problem formulation may have advantages over problem-initiated problem-solving methods under some conditions. First, it removes the often considerable costs associated with problem formulation. Second, it eliminates the constraints on possible solutions that any problem formulation will inevitably apply.

Digital Innovation Management: Reinventing Innovation Management Research in a Digital World

“…The rise of such dynamic problem-solution pairing has led to the rise of new organizational forms, a form that Afuah and Tucci (2012) call problem-solving organizations. In problem-solving organizations, problems (or needs) and solutions "float around" waiting to be temporarily matched for action potential and capabilities orchestrated within the organization (von Hippel and von Krogh 2016). This model has similarities with the classic "garbage-can" model (Cohen et al 1972) where the problem and solution pairs came largely from professional capabilities and related organizational stimuli.…”

Towards a prioritization of needs to support decision making in organizational change processes

“…In the field of organization studies and innovation, von Hippel and von Krogh [6] recently took up the idea and proposed a model in which they implicitly assume a prioritization of needs. According to their view, a need can be uncovered simultaneously when we find a corresponding solution.…”

“…Further work should also explore possibilities to develop a visual representation of prioritized needs as suggested in [6].…”

Emergent Ecosystem for Radical Innovation: Entrepreneurial Probing at Formula E

“…Von Hippel and von Krogh [11] argue that in highly uncertain environments, informal and broad parallel external searches of need-solution pairs can be more cost effective than the traditional practice of engaging first in problem formulation in advance of "solving" the problem. But the broad search assumes a rich landscape with lots of different locations for opportunities.…”

“…While cultural probes focus on demand-side reactions [14], the initiatives we analyzed were poking on both the demand and supply side under high levels of uncertainty in search of needsolution pairs [11]. We introduce the term "entrepreneurial probing" because it is used to expand the landscape for innovation opportunities.…”