Reflection – Visualization

Challenge

For one my current assignments at work, my team and I have been handed the responsibility to design an  online trading platform for mobile handset trading company. This company has been in this trade and  operations for over the last decade and primarily conducts its business through traditional offline channels  channels. To grow their presence and business online, they have now ventured to create this platform.

The challenge posed to us was to take their existing model and transform it for a digital channel. One of  our tasks was to create visual prototypes that will represent their entire business process and user  journeys across touch points and interaction roles. Due to their experience only in the traditional or off  line channels, it was difficult for the team to effectively lay out ideas that will meet requirements and  overarching objective.

Selection

The tool that we believed would work perfectly for this situation, was that of ‘Visualization’ as part of  design thinking. Our reason was very apparent. Visualization will involve all the users on both sides to  demonstrate their needs and subsequent resolution ideas in a graphical or pictorial manner. This allows  for the users to present their thoughts better without being bogged down by the limitations of language  and verbiage. This also helps to receive inputs from others as feedback or alternative ideas to create a  solution.

Application

As a precursor to generating solutions and ideas through Visualization, we started out by creating smaller  groups within the larger group. We ensured each of the smaller group had at least one member from each  department/function from within the client organization. Our aim was to gather as much information as  possible from across the board with regards to problems and disconnects that users face in their existing  model. Using this technique, we were able to list out existing and foreseen problem that may occur in this  transformation.

The next step for us was to create as many solutions or ideas as possible. For this, we set before each  group, a task to list out three critical problems from their list and provide ideas by way creating visual  mockups screens and user flows that will address those problems. To create these mockups, we handed  the participating group members with chart papers and markers where they expected to make to designs  of the screen that demonstrates the idea/solution. The objective was to make the participants visualize  their idea and make drawings using simple yet meaningful symbols to the best of their abilities.

It was a very fruitful exercise for the entire group as they were able to assume ownership and  responsibility for their tasks and contribute in creating a functional as well as a holistic solution.

Insight

The workshop conducted was indeed a successful one for all participants with the client group as they  were able to understand problems and issues faced by users within their departments and other  departments. The biggest learning for the entire group was that every individual can play an important  role a creating a successful solution for the organization.

It is important for individuals with the organization irrespective of roles and profiles to shed their  inhibition and to ‘take a plunge’ to contribute to the BIG PICTURE. By using the visualization tool, they  were bring effectively able to express their thoughts and ideas and be a part of creation.

Approach

Now that we have used successfully implemented the ‘Visualization’ tool to create a solution to address  the client problem, my team and I will move on next to use other tools learned as part of Design Thinking.  We are very excited to use the ‘Story Telling’ tool to address our clients’ next problem. We firmly believe  that with some amount of assistance and encouragement, anyone can become a master story teller in his  or her way and make immense contribution.

