Reflection- Visualisation

Challenge:  The first tool I used was the tool of Visualization, or Visual Thinking, 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 use this approach  often with our customers, who are government agencies working to apply technology  innovations to modernize their mission or the delivery of their services to their  customers. ​Visualisation is any technique for creating images, diagrams, or animations  to communicate a message.    Selection:  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 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 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 will draw from any existing material available to understand the  environment. The existing material may be operational or procedural documents,  training materials, marketing materials, GAO or other auditing reports. If materials are  not available, then I conduct informal interviews with one-three of the stakeholders who  serve as my main points of contact on the initiative.  For the activity, I will divide the stakeholders into groups of 5-6 participants each  representing a different organization or area of interest. Each group receives a  poster-size 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? I give  them approximately 20 minutes to discuss the questions and mark up the graphic. 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  on an additional copy of the graphic.

Insights:  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.     Approach:  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.


Reflection- Visualisation Challenge : The first tool I used was the tool of Visualization , or Visual Thinking , 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 use this approach often with our customers , who are government agencies working to apply technology innovations to modernize their mission or the delivery of their services to their customers . ​Visualisation is any technique for creating images , diagrams , or animations to communicate a message . Selection : 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 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 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 will draw from any existing material available to understand the environment . The existing material may be operational or procedural documents , training materials , marketing materials , GAO or other auditing reports . If materials are not available , then I conduct informal interviews with one - three of the stakeholders who serve as my main points of contact on the initiative . For the activity , I will divide the stakeholders into groups of 5 - 6 participants each representing a different organization or area of interest . Each group receives a poster - size 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 ? I give them approximately 20 minutes to discuss the questions and mark up the graphic . 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 on an additional copy of the graphic . Insights : 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 . Approach : 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 .