Problem Solving Process with Zipline PDF

The Problem Solving Process with Zipline 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...

The Problem Solving Process with Zipline 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 Four Steps of the Problem Solving Process The Problem Solving Process consists of four main steps: 1. **Define** -- Identify what the problem is. 2. **Prepare** -- Look into past solutions and come up with new ideas. 3. **Try** -- Put your plan into action and see what works. 4. **Reflect** -- Review the results to understand what was successful and what could be improved. Applying the Process at Zipline Let's see how we use this process at Zipline: Step 1: Define 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. Step 2: Prepare 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. Step 3: Try 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. Step 4: Reflect 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. Why the Problem Solving Process Matters 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!