Understanding through Visualization

Challenge:-

We follow Agile and we have 2 weeks of iterations for our intermediate deadlines, but after few  iterations we had heated issues pouring in between the multiple shareholders (Dev, Test, Devops and  Management) as we missed the timelines. Each had their own reasons and were not able to convince  others of their limitation or issues even after multiple discussions and meetings. This has been  happening across projects and this time I wanted it to find a long lasting generic solution independent of  the development platform.

Selection:-

We tried story telling (meetings actually) but it didn’t fit our requirements as it was getting impossible  for one stakeholder to convince the other and we finally moved to visualization were we made each  group (stakeholders) present their process visually (simple drawing) so as to bring in a shared  understanding of each of the diverse groups problems and limitations in a more meaningful and easy to  comprehend way.

Approach:-

We began by asking each stakeholder to present the complete flow in a visual manner. More of a mind  map (a simple hand drawing) presenting their steps with an image in mind. The moment we brought  these to discussions, very clearly you could see the different stakeholders realizing the other side  problems, from their perspective. It didn’t solve the issue, as everyone brought the strawman fallacy,  but it was our starting point.

Next we started digging deep with questions and counter questions between each stakeholder. Once  ready, I made a one on one discussion with each group, discussed with them, interviewed them and  based on their inputs created another rough data set. Made a complete list of all different partners  involved, their first set of inputs based on their mind map presentation. Then the points derived from  the one on one and the counter questions. Using this I created the flowchart map having inputs of all  stake holders involved in his. It had inputs from all and my possible solutions for the conflict areas.

For the final solution, we bring all parties together and then presented the flowchart and detailed  explanation of it. Then I ask them to brainstorm on these with each group having their own flowchart  and means to write their points onto them. The few points I asked to definitely 1.) Each stakeholder to  make sure all relevant elements and their respective flows for their part is there. 2.) Any element which  you believe missed or not taken into consideration. 3.) Find flow which may lead to conflict between the  parties. 4.) Finally anything which you believe can be optimized for a better and faster resolution.

Take all these inputs and record it there on a copy of the graphic flowchart.  After the discussion we  create the final image using all these inputs interpolated on the first image to create the final artifact  which incorporated all the feedbacks and present’s a shared insight in an easy to understand visual  manner.

Insight:-

From the first mind map presented by each group, the biggest gain/insight I see is each group coming  together to get an idea of the problem domain as a whole and not just their part. The shared insight  dissolves away many of the rigid thinking which each group has and the learning brings a faster  understanding of problems faced by others.  More than the final image which is a resolution in itself, it  gives each of them a focal point to observe their and other’s role in a graphical manner, to see if they  are part of it or missing in it, they are aware of the complete flow of the process if not what is missing  and what needs to be learned and understood. To know the impact of their action on different groups  and what they can do to help each other.

Approach:-

As we can see no tool comes in fit it all sizes. Story telling doesn’t fit this situation as it didn’t provide the  flexibility of giving a focal point for all stake holders. But the same story telling will be an awesome tool  when we need to pitch an idea from scratch. What I learned mostly from this is, it’s easier and faster to  provide a focal point (visual point) when you are trying to resolve conflicts with multiple groups  involved, as for all other process, there is high chances of missing some inputs or losing thread of key  elements in the long duration.


Understanding through Visualization Challenge:- We follow Agile and we have 2 weeks of iterations for our intermediate deadlines , but after few iterations we had heated issues pouring in between the multiple shareholders ( Dev , Test , Devops and Management ) as we missed the timelines . Each had their own reasons and were not able to convince others of their limitation or issues even after multiple discussions and meetings . This has been happening across projects and this time I wanted it to find a long lasting generic solution independent of the development platform . Selection:- We tried story telling ( meetings actually ) but it did n’t fit our requirements as it was getting impossible for one stakeholder to convince the other and we finally moved to visualization were we made each group ( stakeholders ) present their process visually ( simple drawing ) so as to bring in a shared understanding of each of the diverse groups problems and limitations in a more meaningful and easy to comprehend way . Approach:- We began by asking each stakeholder to present the complete flow in a visual manner . More of a mind map ( a simple hand drawing ) presenting their steps with an image in mind . The moment we brought these to discussions , very clearly you could see the different stakeholders realizing the other side problems , from their perspective . It did n’t solve the issue , as everyone brought the strawman fallacy , but it was our starting point . Next we started digging deep with questions and counter questions between each stakeholder . Once ready , I made a one on one discussion with each group , discussed with them , interviewed them and based on their inputs created another rough data set . Made a complete list of all different partners involved , their first set of inputs based on their mind map presentation . Then the points derived from the one on one and the counter questions . Using this I created the flowchart map having inputs of all stake holders involved in his . It had inputs from all and my possible solutions for the conflict areas . For the final solution , we bring all parties together and then presented the flowchart and detailed explanation of it . Then I ask them to brainstorm on these with each group having their own flowchart and means to write their points onto them . The few points I asked to definitely 1 . ) Each stakeholder to make sure all relevant elements and their respective flows for their part is there . 2 . ) Any element which you believe missed or not taken into consideration . 3 . ) Find flow which may lead to conflict between the parties . 4 . ) Finally anything which you believe can be optimized for a better and faster resolution . Take all these inputs and record it there on a copy of the graphic flowchart . After the discussion we create the final image using all these inputs interpolated on the first image to create the final artifact which incorporated all the feedbacks and present ’s a shared insight in an easy to understand visual manner . Insight:- From the first mind map presented by each group , the biggest gain / insight I see is each group coming together to get an idea of the problem domain as a whole and not just their part . The shared insight dissolves away many of the rigid thinking which each group has and the learning brings a faster understanding of problems faced by others . More than the final image which is a resolution in itself , it gives each of them a focal point to observe their and other ’s role in a graphical manner , to see if they are part of it or missing in it , they are aware of the complete flow of the process if not what is missing and what needs to be learned and understood . To know the impact of their action on different groups and what they can do to help each other . Approach:- As we can see no tool comes in fit it all sizes . Story telling does n’t fit this situation as it did n’t provide the flexibility of giving a focal point for all stake holders . But the same story telling will be an awesome tool when we need to pitch an idea from scratch . What I learned mostly from this is , it ’s easier and faster to provide a focal point ( visual point ) when you are trying to resolve conflicts with multiple groups involved , as for all other process , there is high chances of missing some inputs or losing thread of key elements in the long duration .