STEP BY STEP, WHAT PATH SHOULD I TAKE? Navigating Challenges and Discovering Solutions
After conducting numerous interviews, a venture proposal has been formulated, outlining the problems identified and the proposed solutions. Despite receiving suggestions and advice from our instructor, more than a week has passed, yet we are still deliberating on which solution is superior in meeting all the necessary requirements for us to achieve our expected goals.
Despite asking numerous questions to understand the problems students face and formulating solutions, our approach has been criticized for lacking a structured evaluation of opinions, suggestions, and advice. Yet, one constant persists: the question of what problem truly exists. In our previous venture, we identified accommodation as a primary issue and endeavored to devise a solution for it. However, even with a solution in place, there remains a lingering uncertainty surrounding the fundamental nature of the problem itself.
The process of solving problems often leads to new questions and complexities. Just finding a problem and a solution is just the beginning. It's like when you solve one thing, it can hide another problem underneath. So, when we come up with a solution, it might reveal new challenges or hide other issues we hadn't noticed before. This shows why it's important to keep thinking and considering all aspects when solving problems. We need to be ready to adapt and understand the full picture to tackle issues effectively.
Different Kinds of Customers and their Problems:
Returning to the interviewees to seek their opinions using the advice solution still left me pondering which approach would be more effective. We were informed that the solution we proposed is somewhat expensive, prompting us to explore alternative methods of addressing the problem. Our strategy involved revisiting the interviewees to ascertain the manner in which they envisioned a solution to their accommodation challenges.
Some of the interviewees had similar sentiments as our own. The primary issue we aimed to tackle is the difficulty in finding suitable accommodation, compounded by the inability to physically inspect potential residences. We proposed the development of an app, allowing interested individuals to browse and select their ideal living spaces. However, this solution proved to have its drawbacks, particularly due to the high costs associated with app development.
Other interviewees expressed a desire for a solution enabling them to visually inspect the physical structures of boarding houses before making a decision. Additionally, they highlighted various other factors influencing their accommodation choices, including the time spent searching for options, proximity to the university and essential amenities, pricing, payment methods, landlord-resident interactions, environmental factors, and house rules.
Hypothesis and Result:
Reflecting on these insights, we recognized the need to pivot our approach to better align with the preferences and needs of our target audience. While the app initially seemed promising, the cost implications led us to explore alternative avenues. As a result, we decided to develop a website, dubbed the Student Housing Hub, aimed at providing a comprehensive solution to accommodation challenges. This platform would incorporate features addressing the various factors highlighted by the interviewees, enabling users to make informed decisions and secure suitable living arrangements.
In conclusion, our journey of seeking feedback and iterating on our proposed solution underscored the importance of adaptability and responsiveness in problem-solving. By actively engaging with our target audience and incorporating their perspectives into our solution, we aim to create a more effective and impactful tool for addressing accommodation challenges among students.
Decision made:
Given the circumstances, we concluded that the initial suggestion of a solution they wanted is a better step toward a solution similar to what we proposed in the previous proposal. With all the results found, we decided to create a website that enables future and interested users to find their ideal boarding houses, which we named the Student Housing Hub. This website will contain features that address the factors hindering students from easily finding their ideal boarding house. This will enable them to quickly transact, choose, and contact landlords to secure their spaces.
Option chosen:
Because of the expense of creating an app, this led us to choose a website as an alternative in our startup. The method of distributing information about the website will be through social media and online platforms, as well as posters placed at events in the university. Additionally, we will establish partnerships, especially with student organizations, since the target market of this venture is students.
Lessons learned:
Upon pondering the experiences of returning to the interviewees and asking what solutions they would want for the problems we presented, I found myself momentarily questioning the validity of our approach. Although I found myself in a state of uncertainty and confusion, I learned that there is nothing wrong with asking questions. Through this process, each of us can uncover answers we may desire, unexpected necessities, or solutions to our problems.
One of the valuable lessons this journey has imparted to me is the importance of having faith in one's teammates and fostering cooperation. It is crucial to continuously question and wonder about various aspects to generate new knowledge, which may often be overlooked by many. This journey has reinforced the timeless quote, "If you want, there's a way. If not, there's a reason" reminding me that solutions exist for every problem we encounter.
