Bentley iTwin4Good

Virtual Developer Programme

Week 2: Defining the Problem 

Welcome to the iTwin4Good challenge! Below you’ll find a breakdown of what to focus on each week, with links to resources, guides, and support. Each Monday, new content will be unlocked to help you stay on track and make the most of the programme.

Onboarding & Ideation

Get Inspired: Past Projects

  • ​​FlowPort aims to enhance airport sustainability by optimizing operations to reduce waste, minimize environmental impact, and improve resource use. This aligns with increasing regulatory demands and competition for more eco-friendly airports. Key solutions include real-time asset monitoring, predictive maintenance alerts, passenger flow optimization, and an energy and carbon footprint dashboard to dynamically allocate resources.

    FlowPort | UK’s Winning Team 2024

  • The iBin project addresses overflowing bins in campuses and urban areas, which can lead to littering and environmental issues. It uses ultrasonic sensors to monitor bin fullness and sends alerts to staff when bins are near capacity. The system also optimizes waste collection routes to reduce time and effort. An interactive map shows bin statuses for quick action, and future improvements could include predicting bin fullness based on historical data.

    iBin | Ireland’s Winning Team 2024

  • TwinGrid aims to address inefficiencies and improve the reliability of traditional energy transmission networks, particularly during extreme weather events, by enhancing real-time data availability for decision-making.

    TwinGrid | Brazil’s Winning Team 2024

  • Greenscape aims to create sustainable cities by addressing urban issues like air pollution, the urban heat island effect, and inequality. Their solution engages communities in planting multi-purpose greenery which purifies air and can be transformed into marketable products. This approach generates revenue to support marginalized communities, fostering job opportunities and economic inclusion.​

    Geenscape | Germany’s Winning Team 2024

  • Access Structure aims to enhance accessibility and sustainability on university campuses through digital twin technology that conducts detailed accessibility audits. ​

    Access Structure | Canada’s Winning Team 2024

Competition Criteria

“Which project most effectively used Bentley’s iTwin platform to develop an iTwin-powered app aimed at fostering a positive environmental or social impact, focused on one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals?”

Your project must align with at least one of the following SDG goals:

SDG 3, SDG 6, SDG 7, SDG 9, SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 13 and SDG 15

Use of Business Principles

How well the project has demonstrated a clear and realistic understanding of business principles, including financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and realistic financial projections.

Identifying a Need & Taking Action

How well the team/individual has identified and understood the needs of the target community or market.

How well the project has then demonstrated initiative, risk-taking, and problem-solving skill to address that need.

Use of iTwin Technology

How effectively the project has leveraged the capabilities of the Bentley iTwin platform, either through the development of a dedicated iTwin app or by integrating iTwin's open API (web services) as an added value to an existing or new application.

How well the project has used iTwin technology to provide a clear and valuable solution to the identified need.

Innovation

How well the team/individual has introduced new or improved existing ideas, services, technologies, products, or methodologies.

Communication & Presentation

How well the team has pitched and effectively communicated the project's value proposition and impact, and the role of the iTwin platform.

Sustainable Positive Impact

How well has the project demonstrated the potential of measurable lasting social and/or economic improvements in the community.

Bentley Industries

To make sure that your project aligns with Bentley’s current vision “Improve infrastructure for a better quality of life”, make sure to pick from the following industries below.

  • CITIES, CAMPUSES & AIRPORTS

  • ELECTRIC UTILITIES

  • ENERGY PRODUCTION

  • MINING

  • RAIL & TRANSIT

  • ROADS & BRIDGES

  • WATER UTILITIES

https://www.bentley.com/industries/

Step 1: Research

Spend 10 minutes researching into your problem. If you’re in a team, try and arrange some time to do this together!

EXAMPLE: Last year’s winners wanted to reduce littering. In their research, they found…

More than two million pieces of litter are dropped in the UK every day.

It cost local authorities £663 million or £28 per household to keep our streets clean.

60% of water pollution is attributed to litter.

Over one million animals die each year after ingesting, or becoming entrapped in litter.

People who live in a poor quality environment are more likely to suffer from mental health problems, including anxiety and depression.

The RSPCA receives more than 7,000 calls per year regarding animals that have been injured by litter.

Step 2:Digging Deeper

Sometimes, the first version of a problem isn’t the full story. The 5 Whys techniques helps you go beyond surface-level issues by asking “why?” repeatedly to reveal the root causes. This is espeically useful when building meaningful digital solutions.

Example: There’s frequent flooding on a local street during heavy rain.

Let’s ask why...

  1. Why is there flooding?
    Because the storm drains are blocked and can’t handle the water flow.

  2. Why are the drains blocked?
    Because debris builds up and isn’t being cleared in time.

  3. Why isn’t it being cleared?
    Because the local council isn’t alerted when drains are at risk.

  4. Why aren’t they alerted?
    Because there’s no system in place to monitor drainage performance.

  5. Why doesn’t a monitoring system exist?
    Because the city hasn’t adopted digital tools to manage real-time infrastructure data.

By digging deeper, it is easier to pick out the needs, the true challenge isn't “flooded roads,” but a data and infrastructure gap—a perfect opportunity to explore a digital twin solution using Bentley’s platform.

Step 3: Understanding the Needs

Behind every problem are people — and their needs are what your solution should address. Mapping those needs helps ensure you’re designing for impact, not assumptions.

Imagine your user is in a flood-prone neighbourhood resident.
What are they experiencing? Frustraition? Safety concerns?
What do they say, see, do and hear?

Step 4: Writing Your Problem Statement

Now, bring it all together. A great problem statement is specific, user-centred, and actionable.

Use this sentence frame to help shape your problem:

I am [person/organisation]
trying to [achieve a goal]
but [a barrier/problem exists]
because [root cause].
This makes me feel [impact/emotion/effect].

Example Statement:

I am a local flood resilience coordinator
trying to reduce neighbourhood flooding
but I can’t monitor storm drain overflow in real time
because we don’t have smart sensors or analytics.
This makes me feel feel frustrated, as I’m unable to prevent flooding before it happens.

Step 5: This Weeks Submission

Deadline: Sunday, 8 June 2025, 11:59 PM BST

To help us understand the direction your project is heading, we’re asking all projects to complete a quick submission by the end of Week 2.

This is your opportunity to summarise the problem you want to tackle and reflect on the needs you’ve uncovered so far.

What you’ll need to submit:

  • ✅ Your Problem Statement
    Use the "I am / I’m trying to / But / Because / Which makes me feel…" format to clearly articulate the challenge you're addressing.

  • ✅ 1–3 Bentley Industry Areas your project relates to
    Choose from Bentley’s key industries (e.g., Water, Transportation, Rail, Energy, Cities, etc.)

  • ✅ Identified Needs
    Based on your empathy mapping and needs assessment, tell us what your users actually need. What would make a real difference for them?

This is not a final submission—just a snapshot to show how your thinking is developing. It’s okay if it evolves later!

If you are submitting as a team, only one person in the team needs to submit.

If you have any questions, reach out in your WhatsApp group or check the FAQs.