Challenge and Selection

The tool I selected was Storytelling, helping to better connect with the problem at hand before we test  ideas. Working in engineering it is sometimes hard for people to put themselves in the field working on  the equipment they are doing the design work on. This can create a challenge when designs on paper do  not practically align in the field. Storytelling allows me to create an image in the engineer’s heads as  they are coming up with design to better factor in field restraints and requirements that may otherwise  not be considered.

Application

To begin I develop a story of a normal day operator or mechanic working on that piece of equipment.  The story develops into several different situation and common issues that may arise. The problems are  not always complex and can be very basic in nature; unable to reach a certain component or the  function interferes with another component.

I then encourage the engineers to play a role in the story, how we can solve the problem at hand. Ideas  and suggestions are put on a board to later be built into design consideration. Through the session ideas  are weeded through and the story continues. New problems maybe faced and input from other to come  up with more protentional problems. The activity not only helps place the engineer in the field but also  establishes a flow of idea and thought among the group.

The Storytelling tool helps reinforcing that the new design has a life after our desk. That this will become  someone else project and responsibility. The tool allows the group to break out of their normal roles  and partake in someone else’s. This helps create an imaginative aspect in its own which I believe also  contributes into coming up with a better design.

Insight and Approach

Working through activity has helped design work better when but into field implementation and with  better stakeholder satisfaction. My broader take away from the activity is that sometimes taking a step  back and looking at a problem from a different angle can lead to great result. In the future I like to take  another approach using the Storytelling tool and have the group lead the story. Listening in on how they  run the exercise and if it leads to the same results. Also, being able to add input as an outside source.

I hope to apply this Storytelling technique in the future and will different projects. Possibly bring in other  stakeholder groups to see how they work out the activity.

