Reflection – Mind Mapping Tool  Kenya Export Processing Zone, 27.1.2018  Maria Meier

1. Challenge

I’m working for a health insurance company as HR Manager Training & Development.  Our challenge is to transform the existing training programms into pragmatic, future  oriented programms along the strategy with real added value for the company and the  employees and therefor for our clientes. At the moment, our training programms are not  very aligned with the strategy. They have grown in the past, but very uncoordinated.

2. Selection: Mind Mapping Tool

When we did research we collected lots of data. We interviewed managers and  employees, we did some research and benchmarking with other companies and we  scanned some of the important university programms. We decided to use the Mind  Mapping Tool to look for patterns and insights in all the data.    The Mind Mapping Tool helps to analyze information and break down complex data and  idea into patterns and insights. It is preparation for the „what if“ phase (video Mind  Mapping Tool, week 3).

3. Application:

We invited different stakeholders for a workshop. For the workshop we prepared various  „walls“ and sticked all the data and ideas we have collected on the „walls“. When the  workshop startet, we gave the participants some time to walk through the walls and go  over the data. Then we did short introductions and explaint the data an ideas. After a  short break we asked our participants to pick out the things they think that they fits or  doesn’t fits. An mark them on sticky notes. Then we asked them to go in teams (5 people  each team) and then to cluster the things they have choosen and to look for the insights  as well as for connections between the clusters. Unfortunately we haven’t had the time to  translate the insights into real design criteria. This will now be the next step we do.

The workshop was very effective. We have sorted and simplifyed this mass of data and  ideas and worked out the essence. And we received a good visualisation and a very  inlined understanding about the patterns and insights. And one very good thing is, that  the participants now are really supporting our work.

4. Insights:

It was very interesting to see how effectively it was possible to simplify data. And I have  realised how important the work (engagement) with the stakeholders is and how good  this tool is because oft he prepresentation of various minds. My thinking about the  challenge was affected through several insights. One is, that I have learnt about the  importance of getting certificates and the possibility of community learning.

Overall, with design thinking I have realized how important it is, to understand the current  situation and to really investigate time on the „what is“ phase. Another point I have  realized is how important a variety of ideas is. I am often very focused on solution, and if I  have found a solution which fits for me, I am happy. Design thinking shows how important

the representation of different minds is and that many ideas brings more possibilities to  run learning launches and to really find the best solution.

5. Approach:

I would for sure apply the same tool. It is a very good tool to simplify data and to find  patterns and insights. It allows us now to establish criteria and to start with the next  phase (what if). And the stakeholders are involved in a very good way.

There are two things I would improve next time. I would calculate more time for the  workshop to make it possible to really translate the insights into design criterias. I think  this is the heart of this tool and the very needed output for the next phase. So this time,  we have to do a follow-up workshop to generate criterias. I think it would be much better  to do so in one workshop.    And I would start straight with the short introductions and explainings oft the „walls“, the  time they had to walk trought at the begin wasn’t very efficient.

