JVN Build tip: WHAT before HOW

[JesseK]

Some examples of WHAT's versus HOW's this year are:

WHAT: Score tubes on the middle row.
HOW: Launch tubes to the middle row.

WHAT: Win the minibot race to the top
HOW: Use deadman switches and 2 motors geared YYY:1 to power the minibot

WHAT: Move the minibot to the pole for deployment
HOW: Activate the scissor arm that has the minibot attached

WHAT: Acquire game pieces from the opposite side of the field
HOW: Drive to the opposite side of the field and put Manipulator A in position Y

WHAT: Pick up game pieces from floor
HOW: Put Manipulator A in Position Z and the Claw into Position 2

Once the WHAT's are listed, I'm a fan of using students to act the WHAT's out. As the ideas flow, drill down into WHAT's where necessary, or use 6 students to try 6 different things at once. We got this idea from 116, though I'm sure others have thought of it too.

Interestingly enough, defining a solution for a WHAT is a HOW. As the design is detailed, the HOW's then become WHAT's, with their own more specific solutions (aka, drill down).

[Chris Fultz]

This is a great video that each team should watch.
(apologies if it is already linked somewhere else.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk_QHkIwp7w

The key phases Grant brings out are DEFINE, IDEATE, CREATE, SOLVE.

Right now, you should still be in the DEFINE phase - understanding what problem you are trying to solve.

[DonRotolo]

Exactly. For another example of What before How:

Requirement: Ability to drive cars on the driveway after a snowfall.
Capability: Remove snow from my driveway.
Methods: Melt snow. Push snow. Throw snow. (etc...)
Mechanisms: Hot air guns. Electric wires that get warm. Big magnifying glass to focus solar energy. Hot water heater. Propane torch. Use chemicals to lower melting point. (etc. And that's just the "melt" method...)

Last, from all the mechanisms, you find the one that's "best" (which can be debated) and build it.