Reflection – Mind Mapping

Challenge

I am working as an engineer for an internet service provider. Currently, I am working a lot with  residential gateways. These are the devices that people have in their homes that usually provide  their Wi-Fi. My job is to ensure that the software which is running on these devices is functioning  correctly. Testing these devices is often done on the basis of prescribed requirements for the device.

To strengthen my skills in innovating in my work, I am following this Design Thinking course. My goal  is to be able to formulate relevant problems and be able to address them. At the same time of  following this Design Thinking course, I am also taking courses on developing machine learning  algorithms. Machine learning is a technology that allows for machines or computers to perceive its  environment. This environment is represented in (often large) datasets. The computer is then able to  recognize patterns, make predictions or maximize outcomes, based upon the environment.

Since I am following these two courses at once, my goal is to combine the curriculum of the two  courses into my challenge. I was able to formulate the challenge in one question: What opportunities  can I find, with Design Thinking methodologies, where I can apply Machine Learning technologies in  my work as an engineer at an internet service provider?

Selection

This challenge is peculiar in relation to the typical problem that is fitted for design thinking  methodologies. The problem requires a deep understanding of the end users involved (Week 1:  Challenges best suited for Design Thinking). What makes it atypical is that the end users are me and  my colleagues. The reason to still address this problem with Design Thinking methodologies is that it  is wicked; there is not a single nor clear path to an opportunity where Machine Learning can support  me in my work.

The fact that I am designing for myself puts me in a position where I am quite familiar with ‘What Is’.  I know the domain, the problems that I face in my work & am being trained on knowing the  possibilities of Machine Learning techniques. Because of this, I selected the tool Mind Mapping to  tackle my design challenge. This is a tool that is used on the pivotal point to go from ‘What Is’ to  ‘What If’ (Week 3: Mind Mapping Tool).

Application

To creatively find ‘What If’-situations, I started writing down on post-it notes ‘What Is’-situations, in  three categories:

1. Types of datasets that are available in my work. These are important as this is a required

component for writing a machine learning algorithm. An example is the logs that a residential  gateway generates during operation.

2. Available Machine learning techniques that I can develop. These eventually provide the

ability to support my work. An example is unsupervised anomaly detection.

3. Problem situations in my work. These are the most important. Since these will lead to

opportunities that provide most value to supporting me in my work. An example is my  inability to completely read all logs that a residential gateway generates.

I then proceeded to relate problem situations to  different Machine Learning techniques and possible  datasets that could help relieve these problem  situations. Each link resulted in one or more concepts  for using Machine Learning in my work. It also showed  which problem had most possibilities to be solved. A  picture of the mind map is attached.

Unfortunately, I had gone through this process alone.  Therefore, I could not share and discuss these ideas  with other people with different perspectives.

Insights

Defining the problem statements was most important  for successfully performing mind mapping. This  ensured that ‘What Ifs’ lead to ideas that are most  valuable to the context. Since they address a problem  or opportunity that is actually being faced. Without  the use of these defined problem situations, interesting and complex technological concepts would  have been generated. But they would most likely be of little to no use.

The contrary has happened in my approach, which can be explained well by the use of an example;  One of the promising solution that was defined in this process is the following: “Anomaly detection  for finding irregularities in extract logs”. The problem that not all extract logs can be read manually is  being addressed.

I also found that this method easily leads to quick expansion of the amount of generated ‘What Ifs’.  In the broader plan of using design thinking throughout my exercise, this is a large advantage. This  allows me to quickly create a learning launch of the most promising idea. Since the chance of failure  is very high (Week 2: The Story of George & Geoff), I will not only be able to iterate, but also fall back  on other ideas.

Approach

I identified two large mistakes in my application of mind mapping. The first is that I completely  worked through the method alone. This stopped the possibility of discussing ideas and bringing in  other perspectives into the mind map. I strongly advise anyone to try to arrange for multiple people,  experienced or novice with the context, to partake in the mind mapping activity.

The other mistake is that my only input for the mind map were small insights that I wrote down on  post-its. I could have used richer data that contained more information on the context of the  problems and opportunities. For future applications, I will definitely make sure of this. As this ensures  a deeper understanding of the problem at hand is considered during the What If phase.

The last minor note I would like to add is that it is best to avoid (where possible) selecting a  technology before-hand for solving problems. This was not the possibility in my challenge. However,  doing so limits the number of opportunities that come to the surface.


Reflection – Mind Mapping Challenge I am working as an engineer for an internet service provider . Currently , I am working a lot with residential gateways . These are the devices that people have in their homes that usually provide their Wi - Fi . My job is to ensure that the software which is running on these devices is functioning correctly . Testing these devices is often done on the basis of prescribed requirements for the device . To strengthen my skills in innovating in my work , I am following this Design Thinking course . My goal is to be able to formulate relevant problems and be able to address them . At the same time of following this Design Thinking course , I am also taking courses on developing machine learning algorithms . Machine learning is a technology that allows for machines or computers to perceive its environment . This environment is represented in ( often large ) datasets . The computer is then able to recognize patterns , make predictions or maximize outcomes , based upon the environment . Since I am following these two courses at once , my goal is to combine the curriculum of the two courses into my challenge . I was able to formulate the challenge in one question : What opportunities can I find , with Design Thinking methodologies , where I can apply Machine Learning technologies in my work as an engineer at an internet service provider ? Selection This challenge is peculiar in relation to the typical problem that is fitted for design thinking methodologies . The problem requires a deep understanding of the end users involved ( Week 1 : Challenges best suited for Design Thinking ) . What makes it atypical is that the end users are me and my colleagues . The reason to still address this problem with Design Thinking methodologies is that it is wicked ; there is not a single nor clear path to an opportunity where Machine Learning can support me in my work . The fact that I am designing for myself puts me in a position where I am quite familiar with ‘ What Is ’ . I know the domain , the problems that I face in my work & am being trained on knowing the possibilities of Machine Learning techniques . Because of this , I selected the tool Mind Mapping to tackle my design challenge . This is a tool that is used on the pivotal point to go from ‘ What Is ’ to ‘ What If ’ ( Week 3 : Mind Mapping Tool ) . Application To creatively find ‘ What If’-situations , I started writing down on post - it notes ‘ What Is’-situations , in three categories : 1 . Types of datasets that are available in my work . These are important as this is a required component for writing a machine learning algorithm . An example is the logs that a residential gateway generates during operation . 2 . Available Machine learning techniques that I can develop . These eventually provide the ability to support my work . An example is unsupervised anomaly detection . 3 . Problem situations in my work . These are the most important . Since these will lead to opportunities that provide most value to supporting me in my work . An example is my inability to completely read all logs that a residential gateway generates . I then proceeded to relate problem situations to different Machine Learning techniques and possible datasets that could help relieve these problem situations . Each link resulted in one or more concepts for using Machine Learning in my work . It also showed which problem had most possibilities to be solved . A picture of the mind map is attached . Unfortunately , I had gone through this process alone . Therefore , I could not share and discuss these ideas with other people with different perspectives . Insights Defining the problem statements was most important for successfully performing mind mapping . This ensured that ‘ What Ifs ’ lead to ideas that are most valuable to the context . Since they address a problem or opportunity that is actually being faced . Without the use of these defined problem situations , interesting and complex technological concepts would have been generated . But they would most likely be of little to no use . The contrary has happened in my approach , which can be explained well by the use of an example ; One of the promising solution that was defined in this process is the following : “ Anomaly detection for finding irregularities in extract logs ” . The problem that not all extract logs can be read manually is being addressed . I also found that this method easily leads to quick expansion of the amount of generated ‘ What Ifs ’ . In the broader plan of using design thinking throughout my exercise , this is a large advantage . This allows me to quickly create a learning launch of the most promising idea . Since the chance of failure is very high ( Week 2 : The Story of George & Geoff ) , I will not only be able to iterate , but also fall back on other ideas . Approach I identified two large mistakes in my application of mind mapping . The first is that I completely worked through the method alone . This stopped the possibility of discussing ideas and bringing in other perspectives into the mind map . I strongly advise anyone to try to arrange for multiple people , experienced or novice with the context , to partake in the mind mapping activity . The other mistake is that my only input for the mind map were small insights that I wrote down on post - its . I could have used richer data that contained more information on the context of the problems and opportunities . For future applications , I will definitely make sure of this . As this ensures a deeper understanding of the problem at hand is considered during the What If phase . The last minor note I would like to add is that it is best to avoid ( where possible ) selecting a technology before - hand for solving problems . This was not the possibility in my challenge . However , doing so limits the number of opportunities that come to the surface .