Tool: Visualization (Visual Thinking) – Module 1

Challenge & Selection:

The tool that I have used and selected for challenge is Visualization that I feel plays the major role in  the entire process of design thinking tools. I work in a creative domain where the bulk of my work  depends on the visual representation of any product or approach or business deal. We work on logos,  presentation, graphic designs, illustration etc., To outline the challenge, we’ve started getting more of  negative surveys ratings on the output which we have shared in the recent days. Then I called for a  stakeholder meeting and wanted to use the visual thinking approach to discuss regarding the  challenge and to come up with different solutions. To get those solutions, I use this approach to  make everyone to contribute and think outside box and come up with a new suggestions based on  the data which is available and apart from the data what are other human centric reasons for the dip  in the survey. To elaborate more I used spider diagrams and posters to reflect the obstacles that  prompted, which induced participants in the room to think and share more suggestions.

Application:

I use the spider diagrams/flow charts to logically represent the whole process. And use a logo  representation for each idea that is created with the existing data which is available. To differentiate  the ideas and group them into different verticals, I will use a white board and a colored markers. If I  couldn’t find relevant data details for me to initiate a specific discussion about the consultants daily  routine that gives us the survey and what made them give that. I’d probably have an individual  discussion with the stakeholders to get more information about it as they are operate on the ground  to offer us a deeper insight of the task.

If required, I will use tableau - visualized presentation that is very interactive with loads of questions  to be answered related to the concept. Tableau is used extensively because data can be analyzed  very quickly with it.Visualizations are also provided as dashboards and worksheets. Tableau helps us  to create dashboards that provides actionable insights and drive business forward. Tableau gives  fantastic visualizations, in-depth insights and user friendly approach.

I called all the stake holders to the conference room for a meeting and projected the spider diagram  and a few presentations of the idea and gave them the a white chart or paper to get draw or project  their thoughts on these concepts while holding people (Staffs working with us), process and  customers in mind on why the survey was dipping. Post the session all charts have been collated and  classified according to the three criteria given. And represented those ideas and established the best  solutions for each criteria and begun to implement them

Insight:

The learning from this whole exercise is that I have received many solutions or completely different  point of view from the stakeholders as everyone started thinking out of their comfort zone and came  up with a new and a fresh thoughts. This tool of making them visually think had given a whole lot of  new perspective and it was a very productive meeting where everyone could contribute in the  meeting. Which gave them more faith in the process and information in depth. We were able to  touch base and get feedback on the everyday life of consultants and their project requirements,  timeline of the project, visual enhancement of the project, communication in getting their work done  and other areas in terms of customer service.

Approach:

Next time, I’d give them a brief over the issue before the meeting and post getting their thought  process a visual representation meeting would give them a better output compared to what I have in  this whole process. I will include ethnography method along with this tool to understand the logics  behind every suggestions they have proposed. Also, post getting their thought process on the three  different criteria another meeting should be conducted to understand their logics and reasons behind  those suggestions/ideas.

