Reflection – Visualization Tool

Challenge and Selection

The tool I used was Visualization tool to have a shared understanding in the team and keep them  engaged. I use this approach in my software development team in their brainstorming sessions for  coming up with a solution for various business problems. I am the manager of several technical  teams who work on developing complex software solutions to solve a range of business problems.

Application

Whenever team faces a challenge to find a solution for any business problem. For coming up with a  solution, I provide my team with markers and a white board. Then every member of the team gets  an opportunity to express their idea by drawing it on the board and then explaining it to the team. I  encourage the team to draw the shapes and the straw figures to express the concepts and their  ideas and how it all relates up.

I ask the team to also note down the pros and cons, list of problems with their solutions and ideas.  Draw the cycles or flowcharts for the set of events or actions involved to achieve the solution. When  everything is so visual it makes it very easy to understand for everyone about what the team  member is thinking. The person must explain things and the other team members can ask questions  about the things drawn on the board.

After the session, I click pictures of the white board and share in the group conversation channels  and also document it on the Confluence (data sharing platform), so the team can look back at the  discussions and use it for future responses.

Insights and Approach

I have learnt from this activity that drawing out the ideas on the board helps the team in having a  shared understanding of the concepts and it ensures that everyone is on the same page. This  especially helps when the team is trying to solve a problem, and everyone gets to provide their  input. Also, the introvert members of the team get equal opportunity to draw up their thoughts. This  exercise helps the team to keep engaged and the ideas are not lost in words and sentences.

I have uncovered so many benefits of using the visualization tool that I will be using it for all my  future design thinking sessions.  It is a powerful way for people to express their thoughts creatively  with the team and have a shared understanding. The outputs from the sessions could be referenced  later and used for future sessions.


Reflection – Visualization Tool Challenge and Selection The tool I used was Visualization tool to have a shared understanding in the team and keep them engaged . I use this approach in my software development team in their brainstorming sessions for coming up with a solution for various business problems . I am the manager of several technical teams who work on developing complex software solutions to solve a range of business problems . Application Whenever team faces a challenge to find a solution for any business problem . For coming up with a solution , I provide my team with markers and a white board . Then every member of the team gets an opportunity to express their idea by drawing it on the board and then explaining it to the team . I encourage the team to draw the shapes and the straw figures to express the concepts and their ideas and how it all relates up . I ask the team to also note down the pros and cons , list of problems with their solutions and ideas . Draw the cycles or flowcharts for the set of events or actions involved to achieve the solution . When everything is so visual it makes it very easy to understand for everyone about what the team member is thinking . The person must explain things and the other team members can ask questions about the things drawn on the board . After the session , I click pictures of the white board and share in the group conversation channels and also document it on the Confluence ( data sharing platform ) , so the team can look back at the discussions and use it for future responses . Insights and Approach I have learnt from this activity that drawing out the ideas on the board helps the team in having a shared understanding of the concepts and it ensures that everyone is on the same page . This especially helps when the team is trying to solve a problem , and everyone gets to provide their input . Also , the introvert members of the team get equal opportunity to draw up their thoughts . This exercise helps the team to keep engaged and the ideas are not lost in words and sentences . I have uncovered so many benefits of using the visualization tool that I will be using it for all my future design thinking sessions . It is a powerful way for people to express their thoughts creatively with the team and have a shared understanding . The outputs from the sessions could be referenced later and used for future sessions .