Replication – Visualization

Challenge & Selection    The first tool I used was the tool of Visualization, or Visual Thinking, to attain a common understanding  of a problem amongst a varied group of stakeholders before attempting to identify and define possible  solutions to the problem. I use this method often with our clients, who are pharmaceutical companies  working to apply technology innovations to modernize their task or the delivery of their services to their  buyer, which may be Indian people, industries, and non-citizens. I have used the technique of using a  straw-dog visualization of a problem domain with a set of questions or prompts for discussion to allow a  varied group of investors to learn from each other in the process of defining the scope, boundaries, key  elements, and relationships between basics to consider when recognizing pain points and opportunities  for improvements or solutions.    Application

•  I start the process by creating a straw-dog graphic of the problem area. To develop the straw- dog graphic, I will draw from any existing material such as training materials available to  recognize the setting. I will also conduct informal interviews with one-three of the stakeholders  who aid as my chief points of contact on the initiative.

•  I will also use the front-stage/back-stage approach to strengthen the idea that every service has  clients with whom the service provider interacts and processes that enable the organization to  deliver the service. The template I start with also has a column on the left to categorize Partners  and Value Chain Providers and a column on the right to identify Parent Organizations. The  straw-dog graphic is simple, using simple shapes and icons available on the Internet.

•  For the activity, I will divide the stakeholders into groups of 4-5 participants each representing a  different organization or area of interest. Each cluster receives a copy of the straw-dog graphic  that they can write on directly, or use sticky notes to make comments. I give them two-three  questions to answer, such as: 1) What key elements are missing from the graphic? 2) What  would you change about the graphic to make it more accurately replicate your problem area? 3)  What key insights do you have about the relationships between the entities in your problem  space? I give them 30 minutes to discuss the questions and mark up the graphic. Then I have  each cluster report out on their answers to those three questions while pointing to the mark- ups on their poster. As each group reports out, I record harmonies in the insights of each group,  and then additional insights that come from the group discussion on an additional copy of the  graphic.

•  After the meeting, I digitize each group’s print as an artifact, create a view that combines the  shared and new insights from the group discussion, and then create a revised graphic that  incorporates their feedback and proposed changes that they agreed to as a group.

Insight & Approach    I have learned from conducting this exercise with several groups is the added valuable aspect of the  activity is the common insights and shared learning that occurs while they are working to define their  problem area. The graphic gives the varied group of stakeholders a pivotal point for discussion that allows  them to share their viewpoints and develop insights into possible root reasons of their problems. While  they could create the graphic from a blank account in a collaborative manner, starting with a straw-dog  jump starts the discussion for them. They can speedily recognize where they are in the graphic – or if they  are missing – and can more quickly gain new insights about relationships between important entities  instead of taking time to identify them. They can also identify variables in the problem area– that is, it  helps them to identify what they don’t know, in what areas they need to obtain information or data to  provide the values for the variables.

