Example: Mind Mapping

Challenge and Selection

First tool I used was Mind Mapping. I started the process by assessing what is—who the customers  are, what they think of the product or service prototypes, and what resources there are for further  development. This exploratory stage helps me identify data that needs to be translated into useful  insights to help progress of project. Mind mapping is a tool that helps me to filter a huge amount of  data into information and insights to be easily communicated. It’s a great alternative to PowerPoints,  spreadsheets and charts. This tool captures and represents the minds of the customer. This means  you need to enlist your customers help to truly gain deep insights. I had involved all stakeholders in  the mind mapping process—this also includes colleagues (you need them on the same page about the  challenge the company is facing). Consequently, it gives me meaningful data and allows patterns to  emerge that might otherwise be missed.

I often use this tool for most of my Telecom projects where I need to shift technology to digitally  advance and at the same time ready customers and colleagues to adapt change as all these ideas  discussed with them.

Application and Approach

I have started with Single Idea that was represented with Text, Color or Image. Further, I have  encourage all stakeholders and started populating the space with More-subsidiary ideas around the  main idea and connect with lines that link it with Central idea.  For making this activity workable, I  have took below steps:-

  Create a place for interaction  Invite customers and stakeholders to interact with product or service and give feedback.  Invited at least 10-15 stakeholders—this will ensure that there is enough useable data.

  Encourage ideation  Equip each participant with paper, pens and sticky notes. As they interact with the product  and service ask them to highlight what they think is good about it, what could be improved  and any new ideas they might have. Remind them that no idea is a bad idea—sometimes the  best ideas are initially the least obvious.

  Organize the data  Once the note taking is completed, it’s time to workshop. Split the group up into 3-4  participants per table. Before inviting them to share, have them group their ideas into  clustered themes. Then have one participant present the theme, for example “Robotics”.  After that, have another participant add any sticky notes that fit under the theme. It’s crucial  not to ignore additional outlying ideas at this stage, simply group them together.

  Turning ideas into insights  Challenge participants to come up with an insight statement—a few words that turn what is  implied by their thematic observations into a genuine insight. A good way to get started is to  start asking “So what?”. Participants might need to be asked this several times until an insight  is uncovered. Once it is revealed, write the insight statement down on a stick note and put it  at the top of the theme.

Once aforementioned activities completed my Mind-Mapping is ready for prototyping and  workable future model. Now my next step is “What if “– which are the conditions that design  solutions must satisfy to solve customer problems.

Insight

I have learn that visual thinking can sometimes be better than words when brainstorming, asking  questions and connecting ideas previously thought to be connectable. And mind mapping makes  visual thinking come alive. The old saying, “a photo is worth a thousand words” is certainly true as a  mind map with photos, sketches, and data visualizations provide an alternative way to express and  share complex ideas. Mind mapping is visual pathway of overall vision that can be used by anyone for  any project irrespective of domain.


Example : Mind Mapping Challenge and Selection First tool I used was Mind Mapping . I started the process by assessing what is — who the customers are , what they think of the product or service prototypes , and what resources there are for further development . This exploratory stage helps me identify data that needs to be translated into useful insights to help progress of project . Mind mapping is a tool that helps me to filter a huge amount of data into information and insights to be easily communicated . It ’s a great alternative to PowerPoints , spreadsheets and charts . This tool captures and represents the minds of the customer . This means you need to enlist your customers help to truly gain deep insights . I had involved all stakeholders in the mind mapping process — this also includes colleagues ( you need them on the same page about the challenge the company is facing ) . Consequently , it gives me meaningful data and allows patterns to emerge that might otherwise be missed . I often use this tool for most of my Telecom projects where I need to shift technology to digitally advance and at the same time ready customers and colleagues to adapt change as all these ideas discussed with them . Application and Approach I have started with Single Idea that was represented with Text , Color or Image . Further , I have encourage all stakeholders and started populating the space with More - subsidiary ideas around the main idea and connect with lines that link it with Central idea . For making this activity workable , I have took below steps:-  Create a place for interaction Invite customers and stakeholders to interact with product or service and give feedback . Invited at least 10 - 15 stakeholders — this will ensure that there is enough useable data .  Encourage ideation Equip each participant with paper , pens and sticky notes . As they interact with the product and service ask them to highlight what they think is good about it , what could be improved and any new ideas they might have . Remind them that no idea is a bad idea — sometimes the best ideas are initially the least obvious .  Organize the data Once the note taking is completed , it ’s time to workshop . Split the group up into 3 - 4 participants per table . Before inviting them to share , have them group their ideas into clustered themes . Then have one participant present the theme , for example “ Robotics ” . After that , have another participant add any sticky notes that fit under the theme . It ’s crucial not to ignore additional outlying ideas at this stage , simply group them together .  Turning ideas into insights Challenge participants to come up with an insight statement — a few words that turn what is implied by their thematic observations into a genuine insight . A good way to get started is to start asking “ So what ? ” . Participants might need to be asked this several times until an insight is uncovered . Once it is revealed , write the insight statement down on a stick note and put it at the top of the theme . Once aforementioned activities completed my Mind - Mapping is ready for prototyping and workable future model . Now my next step is “ What if “ – which are the conditions that design solutions must satisfy to solve customer problems . Insight I have learn that visual thinking can sometimes be better than words when brainstorming , asking questions and connecting ideas previously thought to be connectable . And mind mapping makes visual thinking come alive . The old saying , “ a photo is worth a thousand words ” is certainly true as a mind map with photos , sketches , and data visualizations provide an alternative way to express and share complex ideas . Mind mapping is visual pathway of overall vision that can be used by anyone for any project irrespective of domain .