Types of Challenges

Wazoku supports a wide range of challenge types to meet the unique organizational requirements of our customers as well as our problem solvers’ appetite for variety in their work.

Whatever the topic, level of complexity, or industry, we have a challenge type that is suitable and will deliver valuable results.

Ideation: The Brainstorm

A global collaboration aimed at producing a breakthrough idea. This could include proposals for a new product line, creative solutions to technical problems, or even a new commercial application for a current product.

Ideation challenges guarantee that at least one solver will win an award. The posting period is typically shorter than with other challenge types, resulting in a quicker time-to-solution. Ideation challenges involve intellectual property licensing: a solver grants the seeker organization a non-exclusive license to use their solution, whether it’s awarded or not.

Theoretical: The Design

A feasible design that may not yet be prototyped. A solution to a theoretical challenge will solidify a concept with detailed descriptions, specifications, and supporting precedents. These are all necessary in bringing a good idea closer to becoming an actual product, technical solution, or service.

A solver can expect a substantial financial reward if their submission is chosen as the winning solution, but an award need only be made if all the challenge criteria are met. Depending on the requirements, solvers will be required to either transfer or license the IP in their solutions to the seeker organization.

Reduction to Practice (RTP): The Prototype

A prototype that shows an idea in actual practice, on a non-commercial scale. In addition to a detailed description, an RTP Challenge solvers are asked to present physical evidence that proves a solution will work. This should be in line with the seeker organization’s specific needs, decision criteria, or manufacturing parameters.

Solvers are given more time to generate the data needed to support their proposals and prepare a response. The financial awards for RTP challenges are typically larger to reward this greater commitment. Like the theoretical challenge, an award need only be made if all the challenge criteria are met. Depending on the requirements, solvers will be required to either transfer or license the IP in their solutions to the seeker organization.

Electronic Request for Proposal (eRFP): The Collaborator

A request for a partner to provide materials or expertise to help solve a business challenge. Seeker organizations use the Wazoku Crowd to find companies or consultants that have already developed the technology needed or the expertise required to solve pressing business problems.

Unlike other challenges where a cash award is granted for the winning solution, eRFP winners typically negotiate the terms of the contract directly with the seeker organization.

Prodigy: The Algorithm

A computational challenge with an online scoring and feedback component. Prodigy challenges are add-ons to Theoretical or RTP challenges and allow solvers to receive feedback on the accuracy of their solutions, relative to both the seeker organization’s requirements and to other solvers. The accuracy of each solution is compared, scored, and published in a leaderboard format on the Wazoku website. Solvers are then able to rework and resubmit solutions based on feedback to see their status on the leaderboard change.

Many types of computational challenges can be formulated to use the prodigy online scoring system, including statistical analysis, predictions, and optimization of computer programs. Large financial awards for the winners of these challenges are typical.