← QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1

What makes up a digital problem

A problem made up of a user with a need, the data involved, the system or environment it sits in, and a desired outcome that a digital solution could achieve.

Part of: QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Understanding Digital Problems — Module 1

Understanding What makes up a digital problem in QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1

What it does: Listing the data (inputs and stored information) is one part of describing a digital problem. The user is the person who has the problem. The need is what that person is missing, which here is a way to track due dates. The environment is the setting and conditions the system works in, such as devices, networks and location. A list of names is data. A desired outcome says what success looks like and is specific enough to check. 'Make the library better' is too vague to measure. The environment is the context the solution runs in, such as phones with weak school Wi-Fi, so it must be described before the solution is designed.

Common mistakes: The data in a digital problem must be what the system needs to meet the need. Tracking due dates needs task names and due dates, not canteen menu prices. The desired outcome is the result the user gets, such as an order ready at pickup. Building an app is a solution, not an outcome.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 1–58) and word search (Modules 1–81).

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Learning
Duo
Which is a complete list of what makes up a digital problem?
A user, a need, the data involved, the environment it sits in, and a desired outcomeA programming language, a laptop, and a deadline
Matches
Digital problem = a faulty laptop screen
↓
A broken screen is a hardware repair, not a digital problem. A digital problem needs a user, a need, data, an environment and a desired outcome.
Applying
Meanings
Term
digital problem
Meaning
A problem made up of a user with a need, the data involved, the system or environment it sits in, and a desired outcome that a digital solution could achieve.
Practice
User: Year 11 student
Testing
Gaps
problem. = "Year 11 student"
Check Answer
Spots
2NEED: Track due dates
3DATA: Canteen menu prices

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Quick Questions

1. Which is a complete list of what makes up a digital problem?
A. A programming language, a laptop, and a deadline
B. A user, a need, the data involved, the environment it sits in, and a desired outcome ✓
A digital problem is described by who has it, what they need, the data, the setting and the outcome wanted. The tools you build with come later.
2. A Year 11 student keeps missing assignment due dates. Who is the user and what is the need?
A. User: the student. Need: a reliable way to track due dates ✓
B. User: the teacher. Need: a faster laptop
The user is the person who has the problem. The need is what that person is missing, which here is a way to track due dates.
3. A canteen wants to cut queue times. Which item is DATA involved in this digital problem?
A. Order details and the time each student waits ✓
B. The colour of the canteen walls
Data is the information a system could collect, store or process. Order details and wait times are inputs, but wall colour has nothing to do with the problem.
4. Which is the best example of an ENVIRONMENT for a digital problem?
A. A list of student names in a spreadsheet
B. Students using phones on patchy school Wi-Fi ✓
The environment is the setting and conditions the system works in, such as devices, networks and location. A list of names is data.
5. Which is a clear DESIRED OUTCOME for a library book-tracking problem?
A. Students can see within 5 seconds whether a book is available ✓
B. Make the library better
A desired outcome says what success looks like and is specific enough to check. 'Make the library better' is too vague to measure.

Match the Pairs

User + need → Who has the problem and what they must be able to do or get that they cannot do now
Desired outcome → The result that shows the problem is solved, such as a booking confirmed in under a minute
The data involved in a digital problem is the information the system must take in, use or store → Data: student names, roll marks, absence reasons
A problem that is not digital cannot be solved by processing data in a computer system → Problem: the school oval is too muddy to use
Digital problem = a faulty laptop screen → A broken screen is a hardware repair, not a digital problem. A digital problem needs a user, a need, data, an environment and a desired outcome.
Environment = the app that will be built → The environment is the setting the system works in (devices, network, place of use), not the solution itself.

Key Term

digital problem
A problem made up of a user with a need, the data involved, the system or environment it sits in, and a desired outcome that a digital solution could achieve.

Fill in the Blanks

1. problem.user = "Year 11 student"
Hint: Type the part of a digital problem that names the person who has the problem.
2. problem.need = "track homework due dates"
Hint: Type the part of the problem that describes what the person requires or wants to achieve.
3. problem.data = ["subject", "due date"]
Hint: Type the part of the problem that holds the information a system would take in and work with.
4. problem.outcome = "see tasks due soon"
Hint: Type the part of the problem that describes the result a digital solution should achieve.
5. problem.environment = "school laptop"
Hint: Type the part of the problem that describes the system, device or setting the solution must work in.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A USER: Year 11 student
B NEED: Track due dates
C DATA: Canteen menu prices
Line C — The data in a digital problem must be what the system needs to meet the need. Tracking due dates needs task names and due dates, not canteen menu prices.
Question 2
A USER: Cafe customer
B NEED: Order without queuing
C DATA: Menu items, orders
D OUTCOME: Build a mobile app
Line D — The desired outcome is the result the user gets, such as an order ready at pickup. Building an app is a solution, not an outcome.
Question 3
A USER: Live bus tracking app
B NEED: Know when bus arrives
C DATA: Live bus locations
Line A — The user is the person who has the need, such as a bus commuter. A tracking app is a possible solution, not the user.
Question 4
A USER: Nurse on a ward
B NEED: Buy more tablets
C ENV: Busy ward, shared tablet
D OUTCOME: Accurate chart record
Line B — A need is what the user must be able to do, such as record patient temperatures. Buying tablets is a solution, so line 2 should be NEED: Record patient temps.
Question 5
A USER: Farmer
B NEED: Know when to water crops
C ENV: Office with fast fibre
D DATA: Soil moisture readings
Line C — The environment is where the system has to work. This farmer is on a remote farm with a weak signal, so line 3 should be ENV: Remote farm, weak signal.

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