An Innovative Planning Process: "Problem Seeking"

SST believes that defining the problem is the single most important step towards designing and constructing a successful facility. This will be the ultimate purpose of a program of requirements. SST uses a strongly interactive programming process that engages multiple project stakeholders in open communication. This programming methodology depends on interaction and exchange within a systematic process of establishing goals, collecting facts, uncovering concepts, determining needs, and stating the problem. Since programming highly complex science facilities is a basic service offered by SST, we believe that a highly communicative, consensus building programming heuristic such as the process developed by William Peņa and described in his book, "Problem Seeking" is ideal. Theodore Ruys in "Handbook of Facilities Planning, Vol. I, Laboratory Facilities" also referenced this process as being an excellent path to programming research facilities. We typically utilize this methodology to establish clear goals and objectives for a project and to develop criteria to measure performance in terms of meeting those goals.

Ideas are discussed, reconciled and documented in an open planning workshop setting

Analysis cards developed during the process are posted in a wall display for all to see and comment on. This process allows the entire Team to see where we are and where we are going at any given time, it also points to potential hurdles, conflicts and allows the Team to resolve each as they are uncovered. It builds consensus within the Team and is inclusive to all the diverse groups that will have input into a new facility.

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