Reflection – Learning Launch

Challenge and Selection

The first tool I have used in this case has been Learning Launch. I have chosen this tool because  more often than not, organizations decide to develop innovation or alter certain processes  without really doing proper research of the impact this will have afterwards in the operation. As  reviewed in week 4, the Learning Launch tool allows us to establish a hypothesis, state and  prioritize key assumptions, which are afterwards tested and confirmed or disconfirmed trough the  data gathered. Afterwards, one can either continue the development of the idea, if the data is  favorable, or pivot change the idea or even disregard it, if the data is disconfirming. I am currently  in the innovations committee of the supply chain department in a large organization, and we had  previously had some very successful projects as well as others in which large investments had  been wasted. Consequently, I decided to introduce the utilization of this tool to the committee in  order to use it for the projects that are being developed.

Application

I initiated the Learning Launch application by selecting a very interesting project that had been  brought up for discussion. We are currently looking to modify the process of reception and  distribution in or Distribution Center. The hypothesis presented by one of the engineers was that  we need to modify the layout of the Distribution Center as well as the performance of certain  activities that the personnel was doing. It implied making the Distribution Center more efficient  and maintaining the same service level. Changing the layout implied a lot of time and effort from  our department and hence we decided to do the Learning Launch process in order to test the  scenario prior to really doing it.  We listed and prioritized in this case the key assumptions, which  stated same or greater service level, lesser variable cost and a higher profitability. Afterwards, we  had to create a small scale test environment for the changes in the process, which included doing  things very differently for the personnel. We performed the test on 6 shipments, with 3 different  type of handling that we would be receiving and dispatching, this included 2 large containers, 2  Cross Docking Pallets and 2 Half Containers. We wanted to gather data of the variability of the  process in order to see if it was feasible with all types of shipments and cargo in our operation.  At  the end, we identified certain aspects that needed to be modified within the hypothesis. Had we  implemented the changes at once without performing the learning launch, had we  suffered a  severe loss in our service level. Fortunately, we were able implement action plans, correct the  hypothesis and iterate again the learning launch process. The second time we were able to obtain  the expected results and consequently we are now on the verge of scaling the changes in the  Distribution Center.

Insight and Approach

I have learned from this exercise that Learning Launch is a great tool to test certain projects prior  to fully investing and utilizing resources. Throughout this design thinking tool, we can receive  feedback much quicker from end users and consequently make adjustments that fulfill their  needs. It is common, that hypothesis are often thought without checking with the end user,  however, through the design thinking and learning launch process, we can do small tests and  iterate several times our hypothesis in order to obtain the expected results and fulfill our key  assumptions.

I believe that another effective approach for Learning Launch would be to combine it with the use  of storytelling. It is very important to convey messages of what we want to achieve, using story  telling can help us do so. We should use the story telling process when we are thinking our  hypothesis in order to take different factors into account and also have more engagement with  the end users of the solution or project we want to present.


Reflection – Learning Launch Challenge and Selection The first tool I have used in this case has been Learning Launch . I have chosen this tool because more often than not , organizations decide to develop innovation or alter certain processes without really doing proper research of the impact this will have afterwards in the operation . As reviewed in week 4 , the Learning Launch tool allows us to establish a hypothesis , state and prioritize key assumptions , which are afterwards tested and confirmed or disconfirmed trough the data gathered . Afterwards , one can either continue the development of the idea , if the data is favorable , or pivot change the idea or even disregard it , if the data is disconfirming . I am currently in the innovations committee of the supply chain department in a large organization , and we had previously had some very successful projects as well as others in which large investments had been wasted . Consequently , I decided to introduce the utilization of this tool to the committee in order to use it for the projects that are being developed . Application I initiated the Learning Launch application by selecting a very interesting project that had been brought up for discussion . We are currently looking to modify the process of reception and distribution in or Distribution Center . The hypothesis presented by one of the engineers was that we need to modify the layout of the Distribution Center as well as the performance of certain activities that the personnel was doing . It implied making the Distribution Center more efficient and maintaining the same service level . Changing the layout implied a lot of time and effort from our department and hence we decided to do the Learning Launch process in order to test the scenario prior to really doing it . We listed and prioritized in this case the key assumptions , which stated same or greater service level , lesser variable cost and a higher profitability . Afterwards , we had to create a small scale test environment for the changes in the process , which included doing things very differently for the personnel . We performed the test on 6 shipments , with 3 different type of handling that we would be receiving and dispatching , this included 2 large containers , 2 Cross Docking Pallets and 2 Half Containers . We wanted to gather data of the variability of the process in order to see if it was feasible with all types of shipments and cargo in our operation . At the end , we identified certain aspects that needed to be modified within the hypothesis . Had we implemented the changes at once without performing the learning launch , had we suffered a severe loss in our service level . Fortunately , we were able implement action plans , correct the hypothesis and iterate again the learning launch process . The second time we were able to obtain the expected results and consequently we are now on the verge of scaling the changes in the Distribution Center . Insight and Approach I have learned from this exercise that Learning Launch is a great tool to test certain projects prior to fully investing and utilizing resources . Throughout this design thinking tool , we can receive feedback much quicker from end users and consequently make adjustments that fulfill their needs . It is common , that hypothesis are often thought without checking with the end user , however , through the design thinking and learning launch process , we can do small tests and iterate several times our hypothesis in order to obtain the expected results and fulfill our key assumptions . I believe that another effective approach for Learning Launch would be to combine it with the use of storytelling . It is very important to convey messages of what we want to achieve , using story telling can help us do so . We should use the story telling process when we are thinking our hypothesis in order to take different factors into account and also have more engagement with the end users of the solution or project we want to present .