The Art of Problem-Solving: How Capstone Projects Inspired The Picasso Approach
At 99P Labs, our engagement with university capstone projects has been more than just an academic collaboration; it’s been a journey into the heart of real-world problem-solving. These projects are a vital link between classroom theories and their application in the complex, often unpredictable world of technology. Our participation in these projects has proven beneficial not only for the students in gaining practical experience but also for us at 99P Labs, as it has revealed novel approaches to addressing complex problems.
In our work across areas such as software engineering, data science, and artificial intelligence, a key principle has emerged: effective problem-solving requires analyzing issues from multiple perspectives and at different levels of complexity. This realization gave birth to what we call ‘The Picasso Approach.’ It’s a way of thinking about problem-solving that encourages creativity and effectiveness, offering nuanced solutions to the multifaceted issues we encounter in our work. Just like Pablo Picasso deconstructed the image of a bull into progressive steps in his artwork, ‘The Bull,’ ‘The Picasso Approach’ applies a similar philosophy to problem-solving, encouraging us to look at problem-solving from different levels of abstraction, each offering a distinct perspective and understanding.
This blog aims to share these experiences and insights. It’s crafted for anyone interested in the practical application of academic learning — students, educators, and tech industry professionals alike. We’ll explore the importance of capstone projects, our role in these collaborations at 99P, and how the Picasso Approach is reshaping the way we approach complex technical problems.
Our goal is to offer a window into a unique way of solving technological challenges, one that is as varied and intricate as the problems themselves.
Understanding Capstone Projects
Introductory Overview
Capstone projects, a staple in many academic programs, particularly in technical disciplines, represent a crucial phase in a student’s educational journey. These projects, which typically span one or two semesters, involve small groups of students working closely with a sponsor team. During this period, they meet regularly — usually weekly or bi-weekly — to discuss planning, progress, and various aspects of problem-solving related to their capstone project.
But there’s more to capstone projects than just solving a specific problem. To fully appreciate the insights that led to “The Picasso Approach,” it’s essential to view these projects through a dual-layer perspective. The first layer involves the immediate problem at hand, the technical or conceptual challenge that students are tasked to solve. However, there’s also a higher, meta-layer of understanding that encompasses broader questions: Are we addressing the right problem? Is our understanding of the problem comprehensive? This layer involves evaluating the myriad ways to approach the problem, including decisions, choices, tools, methods, and techniques. It also delves into the interpersonal dynamics like team collaboration, working under deadlines, organizing and executing a project, and creating deliverables that effectively communicate the nature and contribution of the work.
In this section, we will explore both these layers and their implications, setting the stage for how The Picasso Approach conceptualizes and addresses problem-solving in a multifaceted educational and practical context.
The Essence and Purpose of Capstone Projects
Capstone projects in academic settings transcend typical assignments or final projects; they represent an integrative educational experience that encapsulates a student’s entire learning journey. Lasting typically one to two semesters, these projects often involve small groups of students working in close collaboration with sponsor teams. Regular meetings focus on project planning, progress, and problem-solving strategies, mimicking real-world professional environments.
The core of capstone projects is their simulation of real-world challenges within an academic framework. Students confront specific problems, applying their theoretical knowledge and technical skills in a practical context. This application is vital for preparing them for their future careers, effectively bridging the gap between academic theories and practical applications.
However, at 99P, we approach capstone projects with a perspective that goes beyond the transactional view of simply solving a problem with student labor. We recognize that the most successful capstone experiences are those where benefits are mutual. For students, it’s an opportunity for practical application of their academic learning, coupled with the necessity for ‘just-in-time’ learning — acquiring new skills as they face new challenges. For the sponsor team, the real ‘win’ isn’t just in solving a problem; it’s in the rich learning experience throughout the project. Capturing and sharing this knowledge and experience is often more valuable than the resolution of any single issue.
This insight, recognizing the reciprocal value of capstone projects, is the seed from which “The Picasso Approach” grew. It’s not just about the what (solving the problem) but also the how (the process of engagement, learning, and adaptation) and the why (understanding the deeper purpose and context of the problem).
99P’s Approach to Capstone Projects
Collaborative Engagement with Universities and Students
At 99P, our engagement with capstone projects goes beyond conventional academic-industry partnerships. We see these collaborations as opportunities for a two-way exchange of ideas and learning. By working closely with universities, we not only provide students with real-world problems to tackle but also immerse ourselves in a fresh, often unorthodox, academic perspective.
Our interactions with students and faculty are structured yet flexible, allowing for an organic flow of ideas and solutions. We conduct regular meetings, workshops, and brainstorming sessions, ensuring that the project remains student-driven while benefitting from our industry experience and insights.
Diverse Subjects and Disciplinary Reach
Our involvement spans a wide range of subjects, reflecting the diverse interests and expertise within 99P Labs. From software engineering and data science to machine learning, artificial intelligence, and beyond, our capstone projects cover a breadth of areas. This diversity not only enriches the students’ experience but also broadens our own horizons, exposing us to new challenges and learning opportunities.
Objectives and Outcomes
Our primary goal in these collaborations is not just the resolution of a problem. Instead, we focus on fostering a community of problem solvers. We view capstone projects as a means to cultivate this community, emphasizing the importance of learning and growth over mere transactional exchanges. For students, the projects offer practical experience and an understanding of real-world applications, while we gain fresh insights and innovative ideas.
Crucially, we prioritize capturing and sharing the journey of problem-solving — the ‘meta-learning’ that occurs as students navigate through challenges. This process of sensing, learning, and adapting is what we find most valuable. It’s these insights and experiences that we aim to leverage and disseminate within our wider community, enriching our collective understanding and approach to tackling problems.
The Picasso Approach: Origin and Philosophy
Inspiration from Picasso’s ‘The Bull’
“The Picasso Approach” draws its inspiration from Pablo Picasso’s famous series of lithographs titled “The Bull.” In this artwork, Picasso deconstructs the image of a bull in a series of progressive steps, moving from a detailed and realistic depiction to a few simple lines that capture its essence. This progression is a powerful illustration of seeing a subject through various levels of abstraction, each offering a distinct perspective and understanding.
Viewing Problem-Solving Through Levels of Abstraction
Just as Picasso’s “The Bull” demonstrates the transition from complexity to simplicity, “The Picasso Approach” applies a similar philosophy to problem-solving, particularly in technical and innovative contexts. We start with a view of three of the most common levels at which problems can be approached:
Level 1: Solution Only: At this level, the team provides a straightforward, finished product. The recipients get a solution but lack the expertise to maintain or adapt it. While this level offers a quick fix, it leaves the internal team dependent on the original creators for any modifications or troubleshooting.
Level 2: Solution + Documentation: Building upon Level 1, this level includes comprehensive documentation with the solution, explaining how to use and replicate it. Though this level adds a layer of understanding, it doesn’t prepare the internal team for changes in variables, methods, or constraints, indicating a need for a more adaptable approach.
Level 3: Expertise: The final level involves providing a dedicated expert who can adapt and innovate solutions in real-time, optimizing for changing conditions and even developing new solutions as needed. This level offers maximum flexibility and adaptability, equipping teams to handle complex and rapidly changing environments.
Understanding the Levels Through Examples
To better grasp the concept of these levels in problem-solving, let’s consider two examples — one non-technical and one technical.
Non-Tech Example: Cooked Dish Analogy
Imagine a scenario where you provide a finished dish to someone. They can enjoy this dish, but to experience it again, they would need you to prepare another one. This situation is similar to offering a solution without the means to replicate or understand it, characteristic of Level 1.
Moving to Level 2, consider if, along with the dish, you also provide its recipe. Now, the recipient has the means to recreate the dish themselves. However, this approach has its limitations. If an ingredient is unavailable, or if they need to adjust the recipe for a dietary preference, they might find themselves struggling. They have some understanding thanks to the recipe, but their ability to adapt it under different circumstances is limited.
At Level 3, we introduce the chef — an embodiment of expertise. A chef can do more than just recreate dishes; they possess the skills to adapt recipes and even create entirely new ones based on the available ingredients, constraints, and individual preferences. This level demonstrates not just the ability to follow instructions but also the capacity for dynamic and creative problem-solving, adapting to the needs of the situation with expertise.
Technical Example: Machine Learning for Customer Churn Prediction
Now let us consider a more technical example of machine learning for customer churn prediction. At Level 1, an internal team receives a pre-built churn prediction model. This model serves its purpose as long as the variables and conditions remain constant. However, the team finds itself at a loss if a new variable, such as customer login frequency, is introduced. They have the tool but lack the guidance to modify it according to changing data or business requirements.
Advancing to Level 2, the scenario improves somewhat. Along with the model, the team now receives a user manual. This documentation allows them to understand and operate the model better and even replicate it under similar conditions. Yet, they face limitations when the model needs to be adapted to new variables or features, such as incorporating a new payment method. The documentation provides a framework but doesn’t equip them to evolve the model to meet new challenges.
The situation reaches its optimal state at Level 3, where a dedicated data scientist is involved. This expert can quickly and efficiently adapt the model for changes in variables, algorithms, or even shift the focus from accuracy to speed. They have the expertise to not only manage the existing model but also to innovate and create solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the business. This level represents the pinnacle of adaptability and dynamic problem-solving in a technical context.
Bridging the Gap: A Question of Progression, Perception, and Practicality
Having outlined these levels, we must consider the prevailing perceptions and aspirations surrounding them. Many students entering capstone projects initially believe that working in industry primarily involves solving Level 1 issues. While technically not incorrect, this is far from the optimal scenario in a dynamic professional environment. They often see Level 2, with its emphasis on documentation and replication, as a requirement imposed by universities, not recognizing its real-world significance. Ironically, Level 2 represents the most popular form of online learning, evident in the vast array of tutorials available.
Level 3, or expertise, is seen as the holy grail. Most individuals aspire to reach this level, and all companies wish their employees were operating at it. However, the rapid pace of innovation and the constant introduction of new technologies make achieving and maintaining Level 3 expertise increasingly challenging. This reality underscores the importance of finding a solution that bridges the substantial gap between the practicality and accessibility of Level 2 and the aspirational but often elusive expertise of Level 3.
In this context, several critical questions arise: How can we effectively transition individuals from the foundational understanding of Level 2 to the more nuanced and adaptable expertise of Level 3? What kind of framework or approach would enable this transition in a world where technological advances are relentlessly accelerating? How can we ensure that this bridge is not just theoretical, but practical and applicable in diverse real-world situations? These questions guide us towards exploring innovative solutions that are not only effective but also relevant in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Introducing Dynamic Adaptability: Context and Need
At the intersection of technological advancement and problem-solving, we often encounter a limitation beyond Level 2’s ‘Solution + Documentation.’ While detailed documentation provides a solid foundation, it typically falls short when teams encounter unforeseen variables or rapidly evolving challenges. This is where we identify the need for a more robust, adaptable approach.
Unveiling Dynamic Adaptability
Our response to this challenge is the introduction of a new level in between documentation and expertise. We are calling this Level 3: ‘Solution + Dynamic Adaptability.’ This concept transcends traditional documentation, offering a more interactive and fluid approach to problem-solving. Dynamic Adaptability is about providing the tools and frameworks that empower teams to evolve solutions on their own. It includes comprehensive but flexible documentation, interactive scenarios, and frameworks for decision-making. These resources cover common situations and encourage a mindset geared towards planning and adapting for a variety of potential challenges.
Acknowledging the Limitations of Documentation
Dynamic Adaptability recognizes that no documentation can predict every scenario. Its purpose is to equip teams with a general understanding and a strategic approach to adaptability, covering common issues while preparing them for less predictable ones. The focus is on cultivating a proactive, creative problem-solving mindset.
The Updated Four Levels of Problem-Solving
The introduction of Dynamic Adaptability redefines our problem-solving hierarchy:
- Level 1: Solution Only — Providing a direct solution without guidance or adaptability.
- Level 2: Solution + Documentation — The solution is accompanied by detailed documentation for usage and replication.
- Level 3: Solution + Dynamic Adaptability — Beyond documentation, this level includes interactive resources for understanding and adapting solutions to new challenges.
- Level 4: Expertise — Involving real-time expert intervention for continuous innovation and adaptation.
Benefits of Dynamic Adaptability
Embracing Dynamic Adaptability offers:
- Proactive Problem-Solving: Equipping teams to anticipate and tackle emerging challenges.
- Cost-Effective Independence: Reducing reliance on external expertise, fostering economic and operational self-sufficiency.
- Sustainable Solutions: Ensuring continuous relevance and effectiveness of solutions in a dynamic environment.
A Cooking Analogy to Help Explain Dynamic Adaptability
In the quest to understand and apply the principles dynamic adaptability, it’s often helpful to draw parallels from everyday life. One such parallel is the process of cooking a complex dish. Just like in technology, where solutions range from basic implementation to dynamic innovation, cooking can demonstrate similar levels of complexity and expertise. This analogy will help us explore the four levels of problem-solving, with a special focus on Level 3, ‘Solution + Dynamic Adaptability,’ and its progression towards Level 4, ‘Expertise.’
Level 1: Solution Only
Imagine you’re provided with a gourmet dish — a beautifully prepared risotto. At this level, you simply receive the finished dish. You can enjoy it, but you don’t know how it was made, and you can’t recreate it. This is akin to receiving a technological solution without any insight into its creation or operation.
Level 2: Solution + Documentation
Now, along with the risotto, you’re given a detailed recipe. This recipe guides you through the steps to recreate the dish. However, the recipe is rigid. If you lack certain ingredients or equipment, or if you wish to tailor the dish to specific dietary needs, the recipe doesn’t guide you on how to adapt it. This mirrors a technological solution accompanied by comprehensive documentation.
Level 3: Solution + Dynamic Adaptability
At this level, you’re not just given the risotto and its recipe; you also receive a cooking guide that teaches you the principles of making risotto. This includes:
- Understanding Ingredients: Learning about each ingredient’s role and possible substitutes. For instance, if you don’t have Arborio rice, what other grains can you use? What alternatives can you use for a dairy-free version?
- Adapting Techniques: Instructions on different cooking techniques and how they affect the dish. For example, if you prefer a creamier texture, the guide explains how to adjust your stirring technique or add more broth.
- Flavor Balancing: Guidance on how to balance and adjust flavors. If the risotto is too bland, what herbs or spices could enhance it? How can you modify it to suit a spicier palate?
- Interactive Scenarios: Hypothetical situations where you might need to alter the recipe. For instance, how to make a risotto in a pressure cooker instead of a pan, or how to adapt the dish for a large group.
- Decision-Making Frameworks: Strategies to decide on modifications. This includes how to evaluate the available ingredients, time constraints, and the preferences of your audience.
This level is about understanding the principles behind the dish, enabling you to adapt and innovate based on your specific circumstances and needs. It’s akin to having a dynamic, adaptable approach to technological solutions, where you’re equipped to modify and evolve solutions as situations change.
Level 4: Expertise
In this final level, you’re not just cooking risotto; you’re working alongside a seasoned chef. This chef doesn’t just follow the recipe; they improvise and innovate, creating new dishes based on available ingredients, current trends, and diner preferences. The chef’s expertise allows for real-time adaptation and innovation. This mirrors having an expert in technology who can dynamically adjust and innovate solutions as new challenges and opportunities arise. It’s about expertise that transcends following established patterns, embodying the ability to respond creatively and effectively to the ever-changing landscape.
Concluding the Cooking Analogy
This cooking analogy through the four levels provides a tangible understanding of how problem-solving can evolve from a basic solution to expertise. It highlights the progression from simply following instructions to developing a deep, adaptable understanding and the ability to innovate in real-time. This analogy directly parallels how we can approach and solve technological problems, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, understanding, and expertise in developing effective and sustainable solutions.
Engaging with Level 3 — Solution + Dynamic Adaptability is a crucial step in the journey toward Level 4 Expertise. By working through examples at Level 3, individuals develop a deeper understanding and a more adaptable mindset. This process not only enhances their problem-solving skills but also prepares them for the innovation and real-time adaptability required at Level 4. The transition from Level 3 to Level 4 is not just about acquiring knowledge; it’s about evolving one’s approach to challenges, learning to think creatively, and adapting solutions dynamically. This progression is akin to moving from following a recipe to cooking intuitively, where the skills and insights gained at Level 3 lay the foundation for the expert improvisation and innovation seen at Level 4.
The Picasso Effect in Problem-Solving
The journey from Level 1 to Level 4 in our cooking analogy beautifully encapsulates the essence of the Picasso Effect in problem-solving. Much like Picasso’s method of deconstructing and reconstructing forms in his art, this approach to problem-solving invites us to dissect and reassemble our understanding and methodologies. Starting with a simple solution and progressing to dynamic adaptability and expertise, we mirror the artistic process of evolving from basic forms to intricate masterpieces. This progression is not just about accumulating knowledge or skills; it’s about developing a deeper, more intuitive understanding of the problem at hand. It’s about learning to see beyond the immediate and obvious, to explore the myriad of possibilities that lie beneath the surface. In embracing this Picasso-inspired approach, we move beyond conventional problem-solving, venturing into a realm where creativity, adaptability, and expertise converge to yield solutions that are as innovative and effective as they are unique.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our journey through the different levels of problem-solving, inspired by Picasso’s artistic evolution, goes beyond presenting a methodology — it introduces a transformative philosophy. In the fast-paced and varied world of technology, this philosophy is not just a toolkit but a call to adopt a new mindset. It encourages us to view challenges not merely as hurdles but as catalysts for innovation and growth. Through the lens of Dynamic Adaptability, we learn not only to solve present problems but also to anticipate and adapt to future ones.
As we navigate the evolving technological landscape, it’s crucial to remember that the essence of problem-solving lies in our ability to perceive issues from multiple perspectives, to learn and adapt swiftly, and to embrace uncertainty with the creativity and acumen of an artist. This is the true spirit of the Picasso Approach — a celebration of creative thinking and innovation in technology and beyond.
The time and effort you’ve dedicated to reading this are deeply appreciated. Your thoughts and perspectives are invaluable, and if you have any feedback or questions, I warmly encourage you to share them by leaving a comment. For those interested in potential collaboration on projects, or simply in connecting further, there are several opportunities available. You can subscribe to the 99P Labs blog here on Medium for regular updates, connect with us on LinkedIn for professional networking, or reach out directly via email at research@99plabs.com. Every connection, question, and collaboration brings new insights and possibilities, and I look forward to exploring these with you.
