Mind Mapping

1. Challenge: Describe your challenge, including all relevant information.

In my workplace, we suddenly had a surge in the number of projects that we need to manage.  We hade many problems such as lack of resources, lack of time, and most importantly, the  inability to focus our efforts and understand what do we have in hand and how do we proceed.

2. Selection: In your own words, briefly describe the tool you selected (e.g., what it is and

why you selected it for your challenge -- including any appropriate video lecture  references).

To focus our thoughts, I came up with the concept of mind mapping. I have selected this tool  because I was dealing with different mentalities: designers, consultants, and “idea wanderers”.  Although mind mapping can be done quickly, it took me days to gather all ideas and thoughts  from everyone.

3. Application: Describe how you applied the tool you selected to your challenge (e.g., what

you did and how the tool was applied effectively or ineffectively).

I had to start by talking to each group in their own language and show them the relevant  drawings/tables/essays the way they like to see their ideas. Then, I spend some time alone  looking at the similar points between these mediums. I eventually translated everything I had  into one mind map that I shared with the team leader (who had a unique thinking style that  made his ideas look like flying in a dream that cannot by formed in a specific shape). The mind  map helped us shape his dream and create a clear path. When I shared this document to the  rest of the team, everyone was able to understand all the projects and their connection to each  other because everyone was able to see his own idea in the map too. It was new, but  remarkably familiar to everyone. It was also important to make it as colorful and attractive to  stimulate the brain.

4. Insight: Describe the insight you gained from applying the tool you selected to your

challenge (e.g., how an insight affected your thinking about the challenge and about  design thinking more broadly).

Before this concept, I would have tried to force everyone to talk to me in a language that only  one team would understand. The problem was that many things would be missed or  mistranslated. This time, I tried to see the problem, and I was able to highlight the different hats  that everyone had. Yet, they all have brains, and I utilized that common part to create  something that everyone can understand. Now, whenever I notice we are talking differently, I  will use a mind map to close that gap.

5. Approach: Describe what you might do differently next time -- applying the same tool

you selected or a different one -- and the reason(s) why.

Spending time to hear everyone’s thoughts to transform it into a mind map is a luxury that I  cannot afford every time. I will work on sharing the mind map concept with several individuals to  become ambassadors within their own “clans”. Doing that will minimize the processing thoughts  because they will happen before I interfere. Also, it will gradually transform everyone’s way of  thinking to adapt to the basics of design thinking too. Hence, increasing the positive impact  within the organization.

