Prepare a Training Session on
“Needs Assessment, Research Skills & Real-World Problem Discovery”
Objective:
Train members to identify urgent and future societal problems, validate them through
professional field & online research, and begin shaping creative, feasible solutions —
using tools that the top Enactus NC/WC teams rely on.
Your Session Must Include the Following Topics:
PART 1: How to Spot Real + Future Problems
1. News Awareness & Trend Monitoring
Teach members to track current and future threats by:
• Watching TV awareness shows (e.g., El Hekaya, Extra News, CBC)
• Reading national newspapers & online articles
• Following global trends (pandemics, inflation, wars, disasters)
• Monitoring economic indicators (e.g., price of chicken feed or fuel)
• Social media & public discussions
Example: If a news headline says “Chicken feed prices may rise,” → go to poultry farmers
and discover what that means for their lives.
PART 2: Beneficiary Involvement from Day 1
2. Go to the Field
• Talk to real people (farmers, workers, students, vendors, etc.)
• Use open-ended questions to learn what they’re facing
• Involve them in the ideation process — co-create, don’t “save”
• Start building trust and understanding their language and culture
• Document real quotes, field notes, challenges
PART 3: Expanded Research Toolbox
3. Primary & Secondary Research Tools
A. Primary Research (from people):
• Surveys (Google Forms, Typeform, paper)
• Structured & unstructured interviews
• Focus groups (5–10 people discussing)
• Field visits & observation logs
• Social media polls, comments, and trend analysis
B. Secondary Research (from the internet & data):
• Google Search + Operators:
intitle:report fish feed 2025 site:.gov
filetype:pdf site:.org
• YouTube: Interviews, field reports, local documentary content
• ChatGPT:
o Brainstorming solutions
o Generating survey/interview questions
o Structuring project reports or feasibility summaries
• Official Reports:
o CAPMAS (Egypt’s Central Agency)
o FAO (Food & Agriculture Organization)
o UNDP, WHO, UNICEF, World Bank, Ministries (Health, Environment, etc.)
• Academic Sources:
o Google Scholar
o ResearchGate
o Egyptian university publications (Cairo University, Ain Shams, Zewail City,
etc.)
• Competitor Analysis:
o Review what NGOs, startups, social enterprises, and ministries are already
doing in this field
o Identify what’s missing and where your project can innovate
Teach how to combine both types of research to validate the problem, support the
solution, and prepare confidently for NC/WC.
PART 4: Source Credibility & Research Ethics
• How to spot bias, outdated info, or fake news
• Cross-check facts from multiple sources
• Always ask permission when interviewing
• Keep real stories confidential and respectful
PART 5: Feasibility Thinking
4. Mini Feasibility Study
Once a problem is identified, members must ask:
• Can we solve this as students (budget, time, skills)?
• What materials, labs, and partnerships are needed?
• Are there existing solutions, and can we do better?
• Can we reach a research center, professor, or lab to support us?
Teach the workflow:
News → People → Research → Co-creation → Expert Support
PART 6: Advanced Strategic Tools
5. Problem Opportunity Mapping Table
Problem Who is affected? What’s missing? Opportunity?
Chicken feed cost Poultry farmers Cheap alternative Use waste-based feed?
6. Beneficiary Persona Creation
Example:
“Ahmed, a 42-year-old fish farmer in Fayoum, is worried about the rising price of feed. He
has 3 children and relies only on this work.”
