Meet your new friend - PSI

Problem. Solution. Impact. The Formula for Clear and Compelling STEM Presentations

Am I the only one who cares about this? Why do people not see the benefit of my research? How can I sell this idea to my manager? What’s the best way to present my solution? Is my solution the best?

The answer to all these questions is PSI: Problem Solution Impact. It is your new best friend for presenting your work and ideas effectively. It helps structure your thoughts and narration, making it highly effective for any audience - from interested layman to saturated well-informed professionals.

Meet PSI

P - Problem

This part is fairly straightforward: you introduce the problem. What’s crucial here is to place yourself in the shoes of your audience and portray the picture of the problem that they need to know.

For many STEM professionals, this step is harder than it seems at face value. Precisely because we spend so much time on the details of the problem, we struggle to zoom out and present it in a way that will hook the audience. It’s a little like introducing your best friend - somebody you know extremely well - yet when you’re put on the spot, you may struggle to find the right words.

Give context to your problem. Think about who should care about it in your audience and why. This will change depending on the audience, of course! Then, clearly and concisely formulate the problem statement. Finally, provide details. The level of detail, once again, depends on the audience.

S - Solution

The solution is the favourite part of any STEM professional. We all look for solutions and improvements. However, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that your everyday work (e.g. coding, running simulations, conducting experiments) is the solution (though they are closely related, of course). Your work is what you do in the office or in the lab. The solution directly addresses the problem as you defined it.

For example, in my scientific research, the problem is the lack of large-scale, sustainable, and long-term radiation protection for astronauts on the Moon. What I do for work is investigate the extent to which lunar regolith can serve as the main material for habitat construction. I run simulations and experiments to quantify the materials required. But the solution to my problem is a comprehensive shielding proposal, and its added value is its feasibility and my engineering approach.

When I work with young professionals, it often takes time for them to clearly formulate their solutions. Typically, I have to ask the same question 3–5 times: “So what exactly are you looking for, and what’s the added value?” Many fail to see the uniqueness of their approach, and that’s normal - it comes with practice.

To avoid misunderstandings, make a clear distinction between:

• What you do for work (your tasks and methods)

• What is the general solution to the problem you’re tackling

I - Impact

Impact is the most compelling part. It is about the future. What happens if your solution works?

Here, you have to consider the consequences of both solving and not solving the problem. Imagine your solution is implemented tomorrow - what would change? How would it shape the future?

This is why your work matters in the first place. And this is how you truly get people interested in you and your ideas.

“Engineering is not merely knowing and being knowledgeable, like a walking encyclopedia; engineering is not merely analysis; engineering is not merely the possession of the capacity to get elegant solutions to non-existent engineering problems; engineering is practicing the art of the organising forces of technological change … Engineers operate at the interface between science and society.” – Gordon S. Brown 📚

For the example I gave before, the impact of my studies stretches beyond simply providing astronauts with a safe place to work and live. It opens doors to international crews, long-term sustainable and scalable human presence on the Moon, and ultimately, future missions to Mars.

If my solution works:

• We can build modular, scalable habitats on the Moon using mostly local resources.

• Radiation exposure will be acceptable for long-duration missions according to most space agency standards.

• Mixed and international crews could go to the Moon despite differences in national regulations.

• A similar approach could be investigated for Mars, advancing human exploration.

When to Use PSI

PSI works best when you first introduce an idea or when concluding a talk and want to highlight the consequences.

Introduce an Idea

PSI follows an inherently logical sequence:

• What’s wrong? (Problem)

• How can it be solved? (Solution)

• How good is this solution, and what happens next? (Impact)

This method streamlines your presentation, making it easy for any audience to follow. Plus, when using PSI, you’re forced to consider the impact - which is often missing from technical presentations.

Engineers and scientists are so into the depths of their aeroelastic reduced-order modelling and whatnot that they become thought-paralysed when asked in simple terms why their work matters and who cares about it.

➵ The ‘I’ in PSI will help you do that before people start asking questions.

Conclude Your Talk

In conclusion, you can first summarise what you have talked about. You state the problem addressed and briefly go over the solution again.

Now, you focus on the most important part - why it matters in the first place. The Impact.

🏆 A great STEM presentation connects the dots between the status quo and the future.

The implications of your work for your field, product, or service matter to the people in the audience. Your audience should walk away not just understanding your ideas, but caring about them. The only way to achieve that is to help us project your ideas onto our future.

Do Not Do This

The most common mistake with PSI is confusing the solution with the impact. Yes, providing a solution is important. But that’s not the impact in your story.

🛑 Impact is about the major effect and consequences of your solution - not just its existence.

For instance, if your solution is a new algorithm that speeds up simulations, the impact isn’t just “faster simulations”. The impact could be:

• Enabling more complex and ambitious designs

• Reducing costs

• Opening up new possibilities for industry applications

To truly drive your point home, zoom out, consider the bigger picture, and ask: “So what?!”

Bonus: PSI for Job Interviews

PSI can even be useful in job interviews. Essentially, you are selling yourself, and PSI ensures clarity on why they should hire you.

👾 Problem – Identify a challenge related to the job description.

🎯 Solution – Your skills, experience, and ideas that match the requirements.

💡 Impact – Go beyond the job description. This is where you talk about your career aspirations and personal traits, showing how they align with the company’s vision.

• What will be your added value?

• What long-term contributions can they expect from you?

• How will the company benefit from hiring you?

Take PSI for a spin next time you present a new idea or explain the gist of your work. You’ll find that people listen more attentively, understand more clearly, and engage more actively. 🚀

Your Coach,

Yulia