Challenge

I decided to take somewhat of a risk and write this assignment to explain the process  involved in creating a proposal for a Non-Profit Organisation. To apply for NGO status and  funding a well thought out and comprehensive proposal is needed. The current and  prospective suppliers / stakeholders are the directors of the company, the Department of  Health and SADAG (The South African Depression and Anxiety Group). The customers are  companies, retirement homes, schools and community centres.

Selection

I chose to use ‘Mind Mapping” as a tool. In this proposal Company X, who currently is  involved in corporate events, saw a gap in the market to offer Health and Wellness services  to a large and diverse group. Mind mapping will be used to analyse available data, sort  through ideas and to approach ideas in a logical manner.

(Please see the attached mind map)

Application

I created a mind map using the design thinking tools (what is, what if, what wows and what  works). At the end of this assignment the goal is to bring together the services of the  suppliers / stakeholders and the needs of the customers.  The information in the map is  colour-coded to see where the available information, needs and services overlap. As the  group is too large and too diverse for interviews I had to draw on existing data, i.e. statistics  to illustrate my points. (Please see below for references)

Company X identified and opportunity in the market. One of the main problems is funding.  This can be overcome if the proposal for funding is accepted. For this I provided proof  (statistics) that the needs of the potential customers and the services of the potential  suppliers / stakeholders overlap.

I drew on the information gathered to explore different ideas that could fulfil the needs as  seen in the statistics. These were then also colour-coded to show where they overlap with  the needs and services. The colour-coded ideas were then streamlined into a manageable  and working design that is ready to be tested.

Insight

With this assignment I learned the importance of using available data. Using the design tools  and mind mapping helped me to compartmentalize the information into easy to understand  units. It was also helpful to let me clearly see when an idea needed to go back on the shelf,  such as when it does not overlap with any other ideas. Mind mapping helped me to take a  step back and see the information more clearly.

Approach

I found Mind Mapping the most logical way to approach this assignment. For this proposal I  won’t be using any of the other design tools, as this one I found the most comprehensive  when I have only data available to me and not customers and stakeholders for feedback.

References

1. South African Medical Research Council (mind map statistics)  2. Statistics SA (mind map statistics)  3. Unicef (mind map statistics)  4. Mental Health Federation of South Africa (mind map statistics)  5. Mind Mapping Lectures – Innovation for Design Thinking, Week 3

Company X

What is

Company ofering corporate functions and  retreats Gap in South African market for health and  wellness services  Funding? Statistics:  HIV (1 in 10)     Obesity (men 29%, women 56%)     Malnutrition (21.6% of children     under 6 are malnourished)     Mental Health (1 in 3)     Poverty (39%)

What if

Apply for NGO status  Partner with Department of Health Partner with SA Depression and Anxierty  Group Supporting data from Health organizations (Proposal neccessary)

What wows

Health and Wellness for corporations,   schools, retirement homes, community  centres Conferences with specialist speakers Social media Newletters Updates on the Health Calendar Medical checks by Health Department Mental Health and Counselling Health education Chronic disease support Exercise programs Corporate massage therapy Teambuilding events Functions recognizing achievements Nutrition HIV Prevention and Treatment

What works

NGO for fnancial stability and support Actively involve community Use data from health organizations Rewards Program Support Program Stress Management Program Education Program

