Reflection – Visualization

1.  Challenge   An agro-industrial company summons a group of engineers to present a machine proposal that  allows to improve and optimize the processes of food selection. There is a need to optimize the  time and resources to be able to have a favorable and economic result. The current process  generates delays and delays in production and the plant manager is looking for a mechanism to  optimize time and space for the selection of tomatoes. A group of four engineers from different  disciplines decides to participate with a proposal that allows the process of selection and  purification of tomatoes is faster. None of them has experience in this type of process, none  have worked in these plants, and come from different disciplines, from different fields of work,  however, they are anxious to present an idea that can solve the problem. In order to present  their proposals and ideas it was necessary a universal language that allows them to understand  the perception of each one.      2. Selection  By having different ways of approaching the solution and because the engineers came from  different disciplines, it was determined that Visualization (drawing, photographs and concept  maps) could be the best tool for each one of them to present their proposal and so all others  understand it, that way together they would simplify the concept of the new product. The  drawing in paper of the proposal would be able to explain a new design of the machine, the  drawing will help to recreate the idea and present its operation. The visualization tool was used  to determine the current problems that the machine has in the recognition and purification of  tomatoes, the pain points were identified, the use of photographs, the processes of the machine  were recorded, as well as the behavior of the operators in the machine, likewise, a visual  recognition of the structure of the machine (parts, structure, size, operation) was made.      3. Application   It was indicated that each engineer should visit the plant at a different time and take  photographs of the machine process and its operation, that way, they would have images from  the perspective of each one, they were not allowed to visit the plant as a whole, that it would  prevent one's perception from influencing another. At that visit they were also asked to describe  the experience of the operators and to draw the use of the machine, it was important that they  take notes of that process. After each one visited and recorded the process of the machine and  its operation, the photographs were printed and the four engineers were gathered, at that  meeting the photographs were presented and each one was asked to describe by a mental map  the observed. After that, each one proposed a solution using a table with four basic variables  for the operation of the machine: production speed, energy consumption, manufacturing cost,  maintenance costs). To do so, they were provided with a table with four columns, containing  these four variables, and in which they should put their proposed solutions. Then, as a whole, a  score was assigned to the extent that they best met the stated criteria. Finally, there were  several proposals to the problems, and the engineers made the drawing together of the final  proposal, each engineer had the opportunity to improve the previous design or to add elements  that could improve the performance of the machine. At the side of the drawing were allowed to  make flow charts and concept maps that allowed to take into account the qualitative  information and align the ideas of all. Visualization also facilitated the development of the  prototype. After having the final drawing proceeded to elaborate the prototype, that way could  be tested if the machine worked.

4. Insight  Engineers often use drawing or concept maps as resources that allow them to display their ideas  and concepts, however, it is important to address and help them manage the information they  can collect with the use of those resources. They are not aware of how powerful the  Visualization tool is and do not exploit it, they ignore that they can further develop their  creativity and enrich their proposals. The use of photographs and the previous observation of  the operation of the machine, helped to focus on the user and have a starting point of the  proposal, this also brings them closer to the real problems they must solve and helps their  proposal approach an appropriate solution.

5. Approach  The Visualization tool could be complemented with the Storytelling tool in this way it could  develop a complete analysis and approach of the problem and solution and place it in a real  context.

