ASSIGNMENT- Visualization in Agile Work Model

Challenge & Selection

I used the concept of Visualization in my regular work, I am currently working with a client [ a product- based company manufacturing machines that manufacture Integrated Chips, my job is to build IT for the  stakeholders of my client which has major modules. I used the first tool of Visualization, 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. I have used the technique of using a straw man  visualization of a problem domain with a set of questions or prompts for discussion to allow a diverse  group of stakeholders to learn from each other in the process of defining the scope, boundaries, key  elements, and relationships between elements to consider when identifying pain points and  opportunities for improvements or solutions.

Application

Initially I’ll 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. If the  materials aren’t available then I’ll conduct informal interviews with few of the stakeholders who serve as  initial initiative to the for the main points.

If apt to the situations, ill borrow the concept to ‘front-stage/back-stage” from previous research. The  front-stage/back-stage approach helps to reinforce the notion that every service- even an internal  service has customers with whom the service providers interact and the internal processes that enable  the organization to provide the service. The presentation template I often start with has a column to  identify the key partners and value stake holders, directors and other entities that may add constraints  to show how the organization operates. The straw man graphic is simple, using simple shapes and icons  available in Visio or on the net. If the front-stage/back-stage view doesn’t work, then I will create a  different type of visual, either based on high-level process flow with lanes from different stakeholders,  or any other format that set.

For the activity, I will divide the stakeholders into groups of 3-4 participants each representing a  different organization or area of interest. Each group receives a poster-size copy of the straw man  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 reflect your problem space? 3) What key insights  do you have about the relationships between the entities in your problem space? I give them  approximately 20 minutes to discuss the questions and mark up the graphic. Then I have each group  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 commonalities 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 session, I  digitize each group’s poster 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

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. Since I discovered that the most valuable aspect is the shared insights and  learning, next time I would use the visualization activity as a starting point for a series of design thinking  activities. Then the revised graphic that incorporates their combined feedback can serve as a reference  tool throughout the remainder of their project.

