Abstract
Design processes sometimes begin with solutions rather than problems, particularly when new technologies spur searches for new problems to solve. Previous research on business entrepreneurship describes solution–first processes as a form of “opportunity recognition,” and proposes some strategies for finding technology “match” opportunities. However, few studies have addressed the design process of how to begin with novel technological solutions and identify problem applications. In this study, we investigated this process of solution mapping through an empirical study of engineering designers who had experience in successfully searching for a problem to fit their novel technological solutions. Through the analysis of qualitative interviews with 19 professional engineering designers, we identified stages and cognitive strategies in solution mapping.
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