Reflection – Visualization

Challenge and solution

I use the tool visualization, to achieve an understanding of problem among groups, stakeholders and  agents to identify and define a solution for customers. I use a technique called Goals Pictures  Visualization where we identify a solution to the issues that were discussed this allow a diverse group of  stakeholders to learn about each other mindset and know what will be accomplish and what to work  towards.

Application

I start the process by creating layout graphic domains; I will draw out existing goals and further goals to  understand the progress. The existing materials will be procedural documents, marketing materials reports  and surveys. Hence, if marketing are not available I conduct a formal meeting with all stakeholders that  severs my main points on the initiative.

If appropriate to the solution, I will use the concept of   Ethnographic from previous research and  discussed in the “kitchen story” journey mapping.  The journey mapping tool follows the customers and  stakeholders as they receive a product or a service or go through the process, the tool uncover  opportunities to create better value for people.

The template I often start has a column on the left to identify partners and value chain providers and  column on the right to oversight organizations such as, congress, labor unions,  and other entities that may  add constrains to how the organizations operates. The goal graphic is simple using pictures available on  the internet, if the ethnographic doesn’t work then I will create a different type of visual either based  on a  high- level progress flow with swim lanes for different stakeholders or another format. For all activity, I  will divide the stakeholders into groups of three (3) participants each representing a different organization  or area of interest. Each group will receive an empty Goal graphics board so they can write on directly,  pin pictures, use sticky notes to make comments. I give them two- three questions to answer such as:

1. What other changes are happening within the organization that may impact this project?  2. What are the biggest challenges in your role?  3. What does success look like?

I give them approximately 25 minutes to discuss questions and makeup the graphic.  Then I have each  group share their board answer, I record commodities in the insights of each group and then digitize each  group poster as an artifact. Creating views that combines the shared and new insight from group  discussion and then create a revise graphic that incorporates their feedbacks and proposed changes that  they agreed to as a group.

Insight and approach

What I have learned from conducting this exercise with several groups is that while the graphic especially  the revised graphic that incorporate feedback is important to reinforcing their understanding of goals they  are working to achieve. The most valuable aspect of the activity is the shared insights and the shared  learning that occur while they were working to identify goals and problem. The graphic gives the diverse

group of stakeholders a focal point for discussing that allows them to share their perspectives and develop  insights into potential root cause in a collaborative manner. They can also identify variables in the  problem space it helps them to identify what they don’t know and in the areas they need to obtain  information or data to provide the values for the variables.

I discovered that the most valuable aspect is the shared insights and learning. I always use visualization  activities as a starting point for design thinking activities so that the revised graphic incorporates their  combine feedback and can serves as a reference tool throughout the reminder of their work.

