Reflection Assignment

Using Storytelling and Visualization Tools to Drive Business Innovation

Challenge

Working as a Data Scientist in a bank, I often face multiple design challenges. My work involves  using advanced, new, and creative ways to create valuable solutions out of the data within our  organization. This includes the full process from understanding the business problem, to  creating the solution and finally to deliver the solution back to the stakeholders. However, one  of the major challenges I face is how to present my work to the stakeholders to get their buy-in.  Because of the well-established nature of the financial industry, it becomes quite hard to  convince the stakeholders with new ways of doing business. Especially given that the solutions  provided include some unconventional math and novel advanced technologies.

Selection

However, despite being limited by the classical ways of delivering similar projects, which are  mainly through documents, manuals, and emails. I decided to tackle this, by resorting to a new  way of doing business presentations. That is using a mix of both storytelling and visualization  tools, in a workshop-like setting.

Application

The workshop started by going through the business challenge and how this affects our  business, and most importantly where are the opportunities. Then proceeded by introducing a  fictional graphical character called "Adam." This character represents a customer who uses our  products and services. Then step by step, we start to follow Adam's journey of interactions with  our products throughout the day. Using multiple graphical elements and illustrations, I  demonstrated how Adam interacts with, for example, his credit card, and how his interactions  reflect in our data systems. Accordingly, we now have a premise to think about how could  enhance Adam's experience. And how the new solution can be utilized in each step of Adam's  journey to provide him with a better service.

Insight

By applying this method I managed to provide my audience with a new tool for customer- centric decision making. That is how to think about the products and services with the customer  in mind. Additionally, I demonstrated the complex, technical internals of the new, and  advanced technological solutions in a simplified manner. This manner not only relatable and  tied to the customer's day-to-day journey, but also the stakeholder's day-to-day business  activities. Accordingly, it became easier to show how to utilize those solutions to help in  enhancing the customer's experience.

Approach

However, what I might do differently next time, would be involving the business stakeholders  from day one in the solution design process. The provided solution might be useful in  enhancing some of the business processes as is, but other processes might need to be changed  to suit the new methods. This is in some cases infeasible or sometimes inconvenient.  Accordingly, early involvement should enable a more comprehensive coverage of all the  business activities relevant to the problem at hand.


Reflection Assignment Using Storytelling and Visualization Tools to Drive Business Innovation Challenge Working as a Data Scientist in a bank , I often face multiple design challenges . My work involves using advanced , new , and creative ways to create valuable solutions out of the data within our organization . This includes the full process from understanding the business problem , to creating the solution and finally to deliver the solution back to the stakeholders . However , one of the major challenges I face is how to present my work to the stakeholders to get their buy - in . Because of the well - established nature of the financial industry , it becomes quite hard to convince the stakeholders with new ways of doing business . Especially given that the solutions provided include some unconventional math and novel advanced technologies . Selection However , despite being limited by the classical ways of delivering similar projects , which are mainly through documents , manuals , and emails . I decided to tackle this , by resorting to a new way of doing business presentations . That is using a mix of both storytelling and visualization tools , in a workshop - like setting . Application The workshop started by going through the business challenge and how this affects our business , and most importantly where are the opportunities . Then proceeded by introducing a fictional graphical character called " Adam . " This character represents a customer who uses our products and services . Then step by step , we start to follow Adam 's journey of interactions with our products throughout the day . Using multiple graphical elements and illustrations , I demonstrated how Adam interacts with , for example , his credit card , and how his interactions reflect in our data systems . Accordingly , we now have a premise to think about how could enhance Adam 's experience . And how the new solution can be utilized in each step of Adam 's journey to provide him with a better service . Insight By applying this method I managed to provide my audience with a new tool for customer- centric decision making . That is how to think about the products and services with the customer in mind . Additionally , I demonstrated the complex , technical internals of the new , and advanced technological solutions in a simplified manner . This manner not only relatable and tied to the customer 's day - to - day journey , but also the stakeholder 's day - to - day business activities . Accordingly , it became easier to show how to utilize those solutions to help in enhancing the customer 's experience . Approach However , what I might do differently next time , would be involving the business stakeholders from day one in the solution design process . The provided solution might be useful in enhancing some of the business processes as is , but other processes might need to be changed to suit the new methods . This is in some cases infeasible or sometimes inconvenient . Accordingly , early involvement should enable a more comprehensive coverage of all the business activities relevant to the problem at hand .