solution in search of a problem

English

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /səˈluːʃən ɪn ˈsɝt͡ʃ əv ə ˈpɹɑbləm/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /səˈl(j)uːʃən ɪn ˈsɜːt͡ʃ əv ə ˈpɹɒbləm/
• Hyphenation: so‧lu‧tion‧in‧search‧of‧a‧prob‧lem

Noun

solution in search of a problem (plural solutions in search of problems or solutions in search of a problem)

1. A proposal that does not solve any problem or provide any value; or one that is intended to fill a need which does not really exist.

   Synonym: solution looking for a problem

   Some teachers complained that the new online grading software was a solution in search of a problem.

   • 2012, Peter Lucas, Joe Ballay, Mickey McManus, Trillions: Thriving in the Emerging Information Ecology, page 200:

     The early days of the PC were a classic case of a solution in search of a problem. It was pretty obvious that a computer-on-your-desk was an exciting prospect and had to be good for something. But what?

Translations

proposal to fix a problem which does not really exist

• German: Lösung auf der Suche nach einem Problem