REFLECTIONS - VISUALIZATION

The tool I used was the 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 peers 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   I start the process by creating a straw man graphic of the problem domain. To develop the straw man  graphic, I draw from any existing material available to understand the environment. The existing  reference material may be a set of documents, training materials, marketing materials or other auditing  reports.     If appropriate to the situation, I will 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 – has  customers with whom the service provider interacts and internal processes that enable the organization  to provide the services. The template I often start with also has a column to identify Partners and Value  Chain Providers and a column on the right to identify Oversight Organizations, labor unions and other  entities that may add constraints to how the organization operates. The straw man graphic is simple,  using simple shapes and icons available in Visio or on the Internet. If the front-stage/back-stage view  doesn’t work, then I will create a different type of visual, either based on a high-level process flow with  swim lanes for different stakeholders, or another format.

For the activity, I will divide all stakeholders into groups of 5-6 participants each representing a different  organization or area of interest. Each group receives a 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?

They are given about half an hour to discuss. 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. 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 work.


REFLECTIONS - VISUALIZATION The tool I used was the 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 peers 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 I start the process by creating a straw man graphic of the problem domain . To develop the straw man graphic , I draw from any existing material available to understand the environment . The existing reference material may be a set of documents , training materials , marketing materials or other auditing reports . If appropriate to the situation , I will 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 – has customers with whom the service provider interacts and internal processes that enable the organization to provide the services . The template I often start with also has a column to identify Partners and Value Chain Providers and a column on the right to identify Oversight Organizations , labor unions and other entities that may add constraints to how the organization operates . The straw man graphic is simple , using simple shapes and icons available in Visio or on the Internet . If the front - stage / back - stage view does n’t work , then I will create a different type of visual , either based on a high - level process flow with swim lanes for different stakeholders , or another format . For the activity , I will divide all stakeholders into groups of 5 - 6 participants each representing a different organization or area of interest . Each group receives a 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 ? They are given about half an hour to discuss . 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 . 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 do n’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 work .