Reflection- Mind Mapping    Challenge/Selection-

Mind mapping is a tool I often use in the field of public policy. One of the key challenges

faced daily when designing efficient public policy is finding a policy that positively impacts  people and where the benefits clearly outweigh the costs. One of the worst things a policymaker  can do is create policy that does not alleviate a problem or has some negative externality that  negates any positive impact of the policy. As a result of this, policymaking is extremely data  driven with many research studies, focus groups and investigations conducted to determine  potential impacts and to analyze possible solutions.    One of the best ways to extrapolate this data is with mind mapping. Mind mapping, as

Professor Moore stated, is essential to find patterns that can lead to creative solutions for design  challenges. In order to design efficient policy, there must be ways to synthesize data and  determine unique and creative solutions.     Application-

One of the key applications of mind mapping I became involved in was working with a

local college as they designed a new recycling program for their undergraduate students. The  university had purchased new recycling bins and placed them around campus, yet were  disappointed that the rate of frequency by students to recycle their bottles and paper had not  increased. The university had mapped out locations of the recycling containers and the amount of  recyclables collected weekly from the program. Several were placed in areas frequently traveled  by students and staff, while others were in smaller academic buildings with much less foot  traffic. I conducted some research by counting students who traveled various paths as well as  observed the bins and took note of who was recycling and who was disregarding the containers. I  also interviewed some students and staff about their knowledge and awareness of the recycling  initiative on campus. I then needed to take this information and figure out a means to improve  the recycling program on the campus.     One of the first things I did was create a mind map. At the center of the map, I placed the

overall goal: improving the recycling program by increasing the amount of recycled items that  were recycled each week. Following this, I made several subgroups of issues I believed could  affect the frequency of recycling. These included details such as the design of the bins, location,  potential users, and improving the education and awareness about the recycling program.

Following this preliminary work, I then added sub-categories to these groups and

recruited some volunteers to work with me. By laying out all the information in a logical and  clear mind map, our group was able to see with clarity some problems that existed with the  university program. The bins themselves were blue, but lacked distinct lids or markers that  distinguished which container was for bottles or paper and as a result a mix of recyclables were  tossed in each bin. Purchasing clearly marked, color coded lids was a simple fix. Additionally,  we noted that the university had purchased the bins, but had failed to conduct a well-conceived  education campaign about them, meaning that the students and staff on the campus were  unaware of the college’s investment in recycling. Printing posters, brochures and other  educational material was an easy fix for this issue. Many students and professors took to social  media as well and highlighted the benefits of recycling through their facebook, instagram, twitter

and snapchat accounts. By first recognizing the flaws and then remedying the missteps quickly  and inexpensively enabled the program to improve. By implementing simple fixes, the university  was able to modify the program and the amount of weekly recycling increased. This was a  successful use of mind mapping.     Insight-       While I was aware of the existence of mind mapping as a tool, actually using it to plan

steps and see solutions is much more powerful when you actually utilize mind mapping to solve  a problem. I learned a lot from purposefully using mind mapping. I learned that having a  constructive and coherent means to analyze and interpret data is an incredibly effective way to  design policy. Much like in the MeYouHealth story, we looked for patterns and as a result, we  developed better and more innovative ideas. Our team was able to use the mind map to come up  with strategies and resolutions to the university’s policy that were both cost effective and  influential.     Approach-       If I was asked to examine another university recycling program and have an opportunity

to design a policy for the university I would definitely use design thinking. In addition to  utilizing mind mapping, I would also use visualization this time. One of the limits of the prior  system is that I was brought in to analyze and “fix” the program, not design it from the  beginning. Were that opportunity to present itself, I would use the visualization activity and  design the policy to be more effective from the beginning. Having the ability to visualize an  effective policy in the design phase is a good way to create lasting social change via design  thinking.


Reflection- Mind Mapping Challenge / Selection- Mind mapping is a tool I often use in the field of public policy . One of the key challenges faced daily when designing efficient public policy is finding a policy that positively impacts people and where the benefits clearly outweigh the costs . One of the worst things a policymaker can do is create policy that does not alleviate a problem or has some negative externality that negates any positive impact of the policy . As a result of this , policymaking is extremely data driven with many research studies , focus groups and investigations conducted to determine potential impacts and to analyze possible solutions . One of the best ways to extrapolate this data is with mind mapping . Mind mapping , as Professor Moore stated , is essential to find patterns that can lead to creative solutions for design challenges . In order to design efficient policy , there must be ways to synthesize data and determine unique and creative solutions . Application- One of the key applications of mind mapping I became involved in was working with a local college as they designed a new recycling program for their undergraduate students . The university had purchased new recycling bins and placed them around campus , yet were disappointed that the rate of frequency by students to recycle their bottles and paper had not increased . The university had mapped out locations of the recycling containers and the amount of recyclables collected weekly from the program . Several were placed in areas frequently traveled by students and staff , while others were in smaller academic buildings with much less foot traffic . I conducted some research by counting students who traveled various paths as well as observed the bins and took note of who was recycling and who was disregarding the containers . I also interviewed some students and staff about their knowledge and awareness of the recycling initiative on campus . I then needed to take this information and figure out a means to improve the recycling program on the campus . One of the first things I did was create a mind map . At the center of the map , I placed the overall goal : improving the recycling program by increasing the amount of recycled items that were recycled each week . Following this , I made several subgroups of issues I believed could affect the frequency of recycling . These included details such as the design of the bins , location , potential users , and improving the education and awareness about the recycling program . Following this preliminary work , I then added sub - categories to these groups and recruited some volunteers to work with me . By laying out all the information in a logical and clear mind map , our group was able to see with clarity some problems that existed with the university program . The bins themselves were blue , but lacked distinct lids or markers that distinguished which container was for bottles or paper and as a result a mix of recyclables were tossed in each bin . Purchasing clearly marked , color coded lids was a simple fix . Additionally , we noted that the university had purchased the bins , but had failed to conduct a well - conceived education campaign about them , meaning that the students and staff on the campus were unaware of the college ’s investment in recycling . Printing posters , brochures and other educational material was an easy fix for this issue . Many students and professors took to social media as well and highlighted the benefits of recycling through their facebook , instagram , twitter and snapchat accounts . By first recognizing the flaws and then remedying the missteps quickly and inexpensively enabled the program to improve . By implementing simple fixes , the university was able to modify the program and the amount of weekly recycling increased . This was a successful use of mind mapping . Insight- While I was aware of the existence of mind mapping as a tool , actually using it to plan steps and see solutions is much more powerful when you actually utilize mind mapping to solve a problem . I learned a lot from purposefully using mind mapping . I learned that having a constructive and coherent means to analyze and interpret data is an incredibly effective way to design policy . Much like in the MeYouHealth story , we looked for patterns and as a result , we developed better and more innovative ideas . Our team was able to use the mind map to come up with strategies and resolutions to the university ’s policy that were both cost effective and influential . Approach- If I was asked to examine another university recycling program and have an opportunity to design a policy for the university I would definitely use design thinking . In addition to utilizing mind mapping , I would also use visualization this time . One of the limits of the prior system is that I was brought in to analyze and “ fix ” the program , not design it from the beginning . Were that opportunity to present itself , I would use the visualization activity and design the policy to be more effective from the beginning . Having the ability to visualize an effective policy in the design phase is a good way to create lasting social change via design thinking .