Problem Solver FAQ
The following list of Questions and Answers will help you understand the process or working on challenges with IdeaConnection.
Q: Do you have a list of challenges available?
A: No. Our clients expect a degree of confidentiality, so we do not publish
the list of challenges currently underway.
Q: How do I find out about new challenges?
A: When you register as a Problem Solver, you are asked to check off the
areas in which you have expertise. When IdeaConnection starts a new
challenge, we send invitations to Solvers who have indicated that they have
expertise in the relevant area(s). Please make sure that your profile
accurately reflects your areas of interest or expertise. You can update
your profile [HERE].
Q: If I get an invitation, am I automatically accepted into a team?
A: When you respond to an invitation, your are asked to indicate why you are
interested in the challenge and what relevant expertise you may have.
IdeaConnection uses this information, along with the information in your
profile to put together a well-balanced group. Some challenges have many
respondents, and in these cases we may put together more than one team.
Q: I've replied to a few invitations and have not been selected to be a team
member. How can I improve my chances of being selected?
A: IdeaConnection uses a number of variables to determine who makes it into
a group. The best ways to improve your chances of being selected for a
group are to make sure your profile is accurate and up to date, and to fill
out the invitation form in a detailed and accurate way. You should also
make sure to only respond to challenges where you think you can contribute
to the solution.
Q: What happens if I am short-listed to be on a team?
A: When you are selected to be a potential team member, you will be sent a
message asking you to read and sign an online challenge agreement within 24
hours. Once enough participants have signed the online agreement (usually
3-6 people), they will be selected to be on the team and the project will
begin.
Q: What happens if I join a group and do not fill out the NDA?
A: As we usually only select enough people to fill a team, members who do
not sign the online agreement delay the start of the project, as we are
required to find someone else to fill the spot on team. Solvers who respond to an
invitation and do not fill out the NDA without contacting us will not be
invited to any further challenges.
Q: What happens when the project is started?
A: When the team has a full complement of participants (usually 3-6), a
professional facilitator is assigned to the project. You will then get a
"project start notice." This notice will tell you the start date (usually
in 1-3 days), the due date, the name of your facilitator, a link to test
your audio/visual chat, and a link to the ThinkSpace® for the challenge.
This email will contain the email addresses of the other participants. At this point you should enter the
times that you are available for your first meeting into the ThinkSpace® calendar.
Q: What happens if I do not participate or show up for meetings?
A: Because the groups are small, it is essential that each team member
participate to the best of their ability. If you do not participate or do
not show up for your meetings, you will be removed from the group and you
will not be invited to any more challenges. You will also not be eligible
for the award if your team's solution is accepted. If you are unable to
participate for reasons outside of your control, please contact us as soon
as possible to discuss.
Q: If a non-participating team member drops out or is expelled from a group, does the money they would have received get distributed to the rest of the group?
A: No, Solvers are paid as per the original offer.
Q: Who writes the solution document or proposal? What does a solution look
like?
A: Once a potential solution is produced, the team will elect one or more
members to write the proposal. A solution document is usually 3-9 pages,
and includes enough detail to fully describe the solution and the team's
reasoning, including supporting data. Some challenges will have very
specific requirements – it is up to the team to carefully read the problem
description and criteria contained in the ThinkSpace®. Solutions must be in
Microsoft Word format, in 12-point Times-Roman font. Your facilitator will
submit the final proposal to IdeaConnection.
Q: Are there some things that are important to a Solution Seeker that they might not mention?
A: Cost of implementing the solution is always a factor, and the use of environmentally hazardous materials may affect the decision.
Q: Will a Solution Seeker tell us what solutions they have already explored?
A: Clients don't like to tell you areas that they have already explored because they want you to take a fresh look. Even if they have looked at and rejected a path, it may lead you to a new solution or approach to a solution.
Q: What happens if two or more teams are working on the same challenge and come up with the same solution?
A: In the very unlikely event that two or more teams submit similar accepted solutions, the award will be split equally between the winning teams.
Q: When will I find out if our solution was accepted?
A: Companies have signed a contract that they will notify us within 30 days of an acceptance or rejection of each submitted solution. However, many solutions require scientific verification, and it can sometimes take a few months to find out the results.
Q: Our team's solution was accepted – when will we be paid?
A: If you are notified that your team's solution was accepted, shortly
afterwards you will be given due diligence documents to be signed and
notarized, including an employer release than must be signed by your
employer (or university). After all team members have submitted their
documents, it can take 30-60 days to receive payment from the Seeker. IdeaConnection sends out the awards to the Solvers, usually within 48 hours of receiving payment from the Client.
Q: Is there always a winner for each challenge?
A: Not necessarily. The client may decide to reject all solutions, in which case there will be no winner at all. On the other hand, the client may decide to accept more than one solution, in which case more than one team will win an award.
Q: How does IdeaConnection get it's income?
A: IdeaConnection only receives income from theoretical challenges if the challenge is won, and the IP is transferred. We do not collect any other fee from clients doing theoretical challenges.
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