Blog Post
Why Defining the Problem is Essential for Success:
Before jumping into developing solutions, defining the problem clearly is essential. Without a strong understanding of what you’re trying to solve, even the most innovative ideas can miss their mark. This fatal misstep can result in delayed timelines and wasted resources, all while increasing frustration levels.
On the flip side, a well-developed problem definition helps highlight key constraints, uncover relevant use/misuse cases, and accelerate design development rates by ensuring that focus stays directed toward effective solutions. With that in mind, I want to walk you through a personal problem I am interested in addressing.
Problem Definition:
For years, I’ve enjoyed playing chess, especially over a physical board with friends or family. That said, it’s not always easy to find someone nearby who’s ready for a game. Online platforms like chess.com are convenient, but they don’t replicate the same feeling of playing on a real board—there’s something about the physical act of moving pieces that is lost when playing online.
This project aims to bridge that gap, delivering the convenience of online chess while preserving the physical experience.
The Constraints:
As I defined the problem to be solved, I identified and outlined the design constraints that will enable an optimal user experience. They are as follows:
Minimal Computer Interaction:
Beyond starting a game, the user should not need to interact with the computer during play.
Automated Opponent Move:
The system must execute all of the opponent’s moves—no user intervention should be required.
Timely Move Execution:
The system must make moves promptly to keep up with online game pacing and avoid timing issues.
Quiet Operation:
Mechanical components should be as silent as possible to allow for full mental focus to be applied to the game.
Slim Profile:
The board should be as thin as possible to avoid being an eyesore.
Traditional Aesthetic:
The board should look and feel like a regular chess board.
Reliable Move Detection:
The board must accurately detect and communicate user moves to the online platform without error.
Unique Piece Identification:
Each chess piece should be uniquely identifiable to prevent system confusion and errors.
Modular Maintenance:
Board maintenance should be simple and easy to perform. Design for disassembly is crucial.
Invalid Move Handling:
The system should recognize illegal moves and alert the user without malfunctioning.
Low Cost and Weight:
The design should have its cost and weight audited regularly and optimized where feasible.
Do Others Have The Same Problem?
If I had planned to bring my solution to market, I’d need to invest significant time and resources. Hence, it would be essential to confirm that the challenge I am addressing is shared by a broader audience. Without this validation, there’s a real risk of developing a solution for only a personal inconvenience—something that may be innovative but ultimately fails to generate meaningful demand.
It is worth noting that while market demand validation is an important consideration for any commercial product, my primary goal for the project is to build out my existing skills (CAD, DFMEA, DVP, Prototyping, and more) while learning new ones (Arduino, Sensor Integration, C++, PCB Design, and more).
In the next entry, I will outline the solutions that I have come up with and determine which seems most promising to pursue.
I will also dive into what products the marketplace currently offers and how mine differs.
