Poke that computer scientist sitting next to you

Or, poke yourself, or something. Whatever's appropriate.

I've got a big huge problem to solve at work and I'd like to look up what's in the literature on solving problems like it, but I'm sufficiently distant from academic computer science that I don't know what the term is for this type of problem or where to begin.

Or, as mizkit said, “Help me LJ-wan Kenobi! You're my only hope!”

( The problem description )