2.1.2. Steps in Problem Scoping

• Understand the Problem: What exactly are you trying to solve? Example: Traffic congestion, customer complaints, product recommendations.

The first step in problem scoping is to understand the specific problem you want to tackle. This means being clear about what challenges or issues exist that need a solution. For example, if you aim to address traffic congestion, you need to identify how and why traffic jams occur. By doing so, you can focus your efforts on understanding the full breadth of the problem.

Imagine someone trying to learn how to cook but just focusing on recipes without understanding what ingredients they like or dislike. Similarly, if you’re working on an AI project, you need to first grasp the entire problem landscape before diving into solutions.

• Define the Goal: What do you want the AI system to do? Classify, predict, recommend?

Once you know what problem you are addressing, the next step is to define the specific goal of your AI system. This could involve classifying data into categories, making predictions based on existing data, or offering recommendations. For instance, if you're working on a solution for customer complaints, the goal might be to classify complaints into different categories to streamline responses.

Consider a coach preparing a team for a tournament. The coach needs to define the goal—whether it’s winning the tournament or improving individual player skills—before strategizing the practice sessions. Similarly, clear goals guide AI projects.

• Identify Stakeholders: Who will benefit from the solution? (e.g., customers, employees, society)

In this step, you need to identify the stakeholders involved in the project. Stakeholders are those who will be affected by the outcome of the AI solution. It can include customers who will use the system, employees who might interact with it, and even broader society that could benefit from the improvements made.

Think of a new community park being developed. Stakeholders would include local residents who will use the park, city officials who manage community resources, and potentially even businesses that might benefit from increased foot traffic. In AI projects, knowing who will benefit helps in tailoring the solution to meet their needs.

• Create a Problem Statement: A brief, clear sentence summarizing the issue and the intended AI solution.

Creating a clear, concise problem statement is crucial. This statement should succinctly summarize the problem you are addressing and articulate the intended AI solution. It serves as North Star for the project, ensuring everyone involved understands the goal. Additionally, a well-defined problem statement helps in evaluating solutions and outcomes later in the project.

It’s like writing a thesis statement for a research paper. A clear thesis tells the reader what to expect and provides a focused direction for the subsequent research. Similarly, a well-crafted problem statement acts as a guide throughout the AI project.

Tools Used: • SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) • 4Ws Canvas (What, Why, Where, Who)

To support the problem scoping process, various tools can be used. SWOT Analysis helps identify the strengths and weaknesses related to the project as well as potential opportunities and threats in the market or environment. The 4Ws Canvas is another useful tool that prompts you to think about the 'What', 'Why', 'Where', and 'Who' regarding the problem and solution.

Using these tools is akin to preparing for a trip. Before you travel, you would assess your travel options, think about your destination, understand what to pack (strengths/weaknesses), and recognize any challenges you may face (threats). In AI, these tools help in getting a comprehensive view of your project landscape.

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