Visualization

Challenge and Selection :

The first tool I used was the tool of Visualization, or Visual Thinking, to achieve a shared

understanding of a problem space among a diverse group of stakeholders before attempting

to identify and define possible solutions to the problem. But, What exactly is visualization?

Visualization or visualisation (see spelling differences) is any technique for creating images,  diagrams, or animations to communicate a message. Visualization through visual imagery has  been an effective way to communicate both abstract and concrete ideas since the dawn of  humanity.

Imagination Has No Limits

-  In your imagination, you can see yourself as you wish to be and look, do what you love  to do, and own the possessions you want.

-  In your imagination, you can be anything you want, and live the life you want. There  are no limits.

-  If you continue visualizing in this way, without neutralizing your dreams by negative  thoughts, you will begin changing your life and making what you imagine come true.

Application :

I start the process by creating a straw man graphic of the problem domain. To develop the

straw man graphic, I will draw from any existing material available to understand the environment.  The existing material may be operational or procedural documents, training materials, marketing  materials, GAO or other auditing reports. If materials are not available, then I conduct informal  interviews with one-three of the stakeholders who serve as my main points of contact on the initiative.

Insight & Approach :

What I have learned from conducting this exercise with several groups is that while the graphic

(especially the revised graphic that incorporates their feedback) is important for reinforcing their  understanding of the problem they are working to solve, the more valuable aspect of the activity is the  shared insights and shared learning that occurs while they are working to define their problem space.  The graphic gives the diverse group of stakeholders a focal point for discussion that allows them to  share their perspectives and develop insights into potential root causes of their problems. While they  could create the graphic from a blank slate in a collaborative manner, starting with a straw man jump  starts the conversation for them. They can quickly identify where they are in the graphic – or if they  are missing – and can more quickly gain new insights about relationships between key entities instead  of taking time to identify them. They can also identify variables in the problem space – 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.

