Brief feature: problem, need or opportunity outline

Name:

Date:

Class:

Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. Which sentence best describes what the problem, need or opportunity outline in a brief does?

A It clearly and briefly describes the problem, need or opportunity and why it matters

B It lists every screen, variable and line of code the solution will use

2. Which is the best length and style for an outline?

A Long and detailed, with several pages of technical background

B Clear and brief, a short paragraph or a few sentences

3. Which part of the outline describes the current situation?

A The new app will be built in Python using a SQLite database.

B Our school office records late arrivals on paper slips that are often lost.

4. Which sentence states a need clearly?

A Staff need a fast way to record and search late arrivals without losing records.

B Late arrivals happen sometimes, so something should perhaps be done.

5. Which sentence explains why a solution is wanted?

A Lost slips mean attendance reports are wrong, and staff waste time chasing them.

B The solution will have a blue header and a green submit button.

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left column		Right column
1Problem, need or opportunity outline		AThis is vague. It does not clearly describe the current situation, state a specific need or explain why a solution is wanted.
2Current situation: Staff record orders on paper and re-enter them by hand.		BThis describes the solution and tools instead of the problem, need or opportunity. The outline should explain the situation and need, not how it will be built.
3Stating the need: says what must be achieved or improved, not how to build it.		CNeed: Staff need a faster, more accurate way to record customer orders.
4Why a solution is wanted: explains why the problem matters and what benefit a solution would bring.		DDescribes the current situation so the reader understands the problem as it exists now.
5Outline: We will build a Python app with a database and a login screen.		EA solution is wanted because manual entry wastes about 10 hours a week and causes costly errors.
6Outline: Our business is a bit slow sometimes and things could be better.		FThe part of a brief that clearly and briefly describes the current situation, the need or opportunity, and why a solution is wanted.

Definitions

Problem, need or opportunity outline

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

Part 1: describe the _________________

Part 2: state the ____ or opportunity

Part 3: explain why a ________ is wanted

Say why the problem _______

Problem: Paper sign-in is slow. Need: A faster sign-in system. ___: Saves staff time each day.

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.

Question 1

A Situation: paper rosters

B Need: a digital roster system

C Why: build it in Python

Question 2

A Situation: we need an app

B Need: faster book checkouts

C Why: queues waste class time

Question 3

A Section: Feasibility

B Situation: club uses email

C Need: online sign-up form

D Why: emails get lost

Question 4

A Section: Problem outline

B Situation: shop sells in-store

C Opportunity: we sell in-store

D Why: reach more customers

Question 5

A Situation: paper scorebooks

B Problem: scores get lost

C Need: store scores safely

D Why: it would be cool

Answer Key

Brief feature: problem, need or opportunity outline

Section A: Quick Questions

A — It clearly and briefly describes the problem, need or opportunity and why it matters

B — Clear and brief, a short paragraph or a few sentences

B — Our school office records late arrivals on paper slips that are often lost.

A — Staff need a fast way to record and search late arrivals without losing records.

A — Lost slips mean attendance reports are wrong, and staff waste time chasing them.

Section B: Match the Pairs

Problem, need or opportunity outline → The part of a brief that clearly and briefly describes the current situation, the need or opportunity, and why a solution is wanted.

Current situation: Staff record orders on paper and re-enter them by hand. → Describes the current situation so the reader understands the problem as it exists now.

Stating the need: says what must be achieved or improved, not how to build it. → Need: Staff need a faster, more accurate way to record customer orders.

Why a solution is wanted: explains why the problem matters and what benefit a solution would bring. → A solution is wanted because manual entry wastes about 10 hours a week and causes costly errors.

Outline: We will build a Python app with a database and a login screen. → This describes the solution and tools instead of the problem, need or opportunity. The outline should explain the situation and need, not how it will be built.

Outline: Our business is a bit slow sometimes and things could be better. → This is vague. It does not clearly describe the current situation, state a specific need or explain why a solution is wanted.

Section C: Definitions

Problem, need or opportunity outline — The part of a brief that clearly and briefly describes the current situation, the need or opportunity, and why a solution is wanted.

Section D: Fill in the Blanks

Part 1: describe the current situation

Part 2: state the need or opportunity

Part 3: explain why a solution is wanted

Say why the problem matters

Problem: Paper sign-in is slow.
Need: A faster sign-in system.
Why: Saves staff time each day.

Section E: Spot the Error

C — The last part of the outline should say why a solution is wanted, such as the benefits to users. 'Build it in Python' names a language, which belongs in a different brief feature. It should be something like 'Why: saves time, cuts errors'.

A — The situation should describe how things are now. 'We need an app' states a solution, not the current situation. It should read 'Situation: loans are manual'.

A — These lines are the problem, need or opportunity outline. Feasibility is a different brief feature, so the heading should be 'Section: Problem outline'.

C — An opportunity states the chance to improve, not the current situation. 'We sell in-store' just repeats line 2. It should be 'Opportunity: sell online too'.

D — The outline must explain why the issue matters, and 'it would be cool' is vague and gives no real reason. It should link to a stakeholder benefit, such as 'Why: coaches need true stats'.