Nweze Stanley

Reflection – Visualization

Challenge:

The challenge I would like to describe is the means to provide clean water for daily use to the

Marsabit community in central part of Kenya. This community has been suffering from diverse

communicable diseases and other chronic health issues which might have been the result of bad

water consumption.

Selection:

To be able to overcome this challenge, the first tool I used was the tool of visualization (or visual

thinking). I mostly use this tool often to tackle problems related to design projects in school. My

major is more of designing and manufacturing. I have also 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 solutions.

Application:

In order to start the process, I created a straw man graphic of the problem domain. The straw

man graphic was developed by drawing from many existing materials available in the

community to understand the environment. The existing materials in the Marsabit community

include their primary sources of water, the stakeholders, raw materials needed for water

purification etc. I have also conducted a thorough research about their situation and how badly

they have been affected by this lack of good drinking water, then I contacted my primary source

of information over there to see what I can do to help their situation. In other to solve the

problem the Marsabit community were encountering, I applied the concept of “front-stage/back-

stage.” This approach helped to reinforce the notion that every service-even an internal service

has customers with whom the service provider definitely interacts and internal processes that

enable the organization to provide the service. With this method, I was able understand the needs

of this community. I have also already visualized all the necessary things that needed to be put in

place, how the process of water purification can be established, and also, how it will help the

community to maximize their resources for all this to take great effect. Applying this method

actually solved the problem of bad water consumption.

Nweze Stanley

Insight:

What I have gained from applying the tool I selected was that problem solving involve critically

visualizing the core cause of the problem in all directions. The graphic divulges most of the focal

points why the problem which seemed mountainous could be easily solved. From this exercise, I

strongly believe that there is no problem without a solution. The most important thing is to create

a vivid ideation to tackle the problem.

Approach:

During this exercise, I discovered that the most valuable aspect was the learning and also, the

aspect of sharing insight. What I intend to do differently next time would be to use the

visualization activity as a starting point for various aspects of design thinking activities. The

revised graphic which would incorporate a combined feedback can then serve as a reference tool

for propagation of the work as this would create a time-to-time improvement.


Nweze Stanley Reflection – Visualization Challenge : The challenge I would like to describe is the means to provide clean water for daily use to the Marsabit community in central part of Kenya . This community has been suffering from diverse communicable diseases and other chronic health issues which might have been the result of bad water consumption . Selection : To be able to overcome this challenge , the first tool I used was the tool of visualization ( or visual thinking ) . I mostly use this tool often to tackle problems related to design projects in school . My major is more of designing and manufacturing . I have also 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 solutions . Application : In order to start the process , I created a straw man graphic of the problem domain . The straw man graphic was developed by drawing from many existing materials available in the community to understand the environment . The existing materials in the Marsabit community include their primary sources of water , the stakeholders , raw materials needed for water purification etc . I have also conducted a thorough research about their situation and how badly they have been affected by this lack of good drinking water , then I contacted my primary source of information over there to see what I can do to help their situation . In other to solve the problem the Marsabit community were encountering , I applied the concept of “ front - stage / back- stage . ” This approach helped to reinforce the notion that every service - even an internal service has customers with whom the service provider definitely interacts and internal processes that enable the organization to provide the service . With this method , I was able understand the needs of this community . I have also already visualized all the necessary things that needed to be put in place , how the process of water purification can be established , and also , how it will help the community to maximize their resources for all this to take great effect . Applying this method actually solved the problem of bad water consumption . Nweze Stanley Insight : What I have gained from applying the tool I selected was that problem solving involve critically visualizing the core cause of the problem in all directions . The graphic divulges most of the focal points why the problem which seemed mountainous could be easily solved . From this exercise , I strongly believe that there is no problem without a solution . The most important thing is to create a vivid ideation to tackle the problem . Approach : During this exercise , I discovered that the most valuable aspect was the learning and also , the aspect of sharing insight . What I intend to do differently next time would be to use the visualization activity as a starting point for various aspects of design thinking activities . The revised graphic which would incorporate a combined feedback can then serve as a reference tool for propagation of the work as this would create a time - to - time improvement .