Structured problem exploration approach for the pre-concept stage of system development

At the pre-concept stage, an architect explores the problem space together with various stakeholders, including engineers, marketing, and future users of the system. This requires competencies and tactics to communicate efficiently while maintaining a system-level scope. We present a practical Structured Problem Exploration approach to assist architects in exploring the problem space. The approach aims to ensure that involved parties are talking on the same level. The approach includes a checklist to elicit information relevant to the system-level scope and activities to warrant convergence of the results. This paper starts with an overview of soft competencies, skills, and methods. After outlining the approach, we report our experiences with applying it to investigate energy improvement opportunities of a connected system. This paper aims to inform discussions on the importance of competencies and methods for the pre-concept exploration stage when creating SoS elements.