Challenge  In a strategic planning workshop for the IT division of my organization, we gathered our IT managers  to identify changes necessary for our division to deliver enhanced values to our organization as well  as plans to achieve them. We were to focus on five areas: Cybersecurity, Agile Transformation,  Empower our Business, Future-Ready Workforce and Platform Strategy. By the end of the one-day  workshop, we were to identify and align common future-oriented visions in these areas and  concrete steps towards these visions.

Selection  This workshop was expected to require a lot of idea generation, exploration and pattern findings for  our task of “designing” our vision and workplan. As mentioned in the video lecture, visualization  allows us to access the non-verbal, creative part of our brains normally not used with just  conversation. With the advantage of a visual tool over plain discussion, we sourced for a visual  canvas tool: 5 Bold Steps Vision by David Sibbet of the Grove International to guide our flow of the  workshop. This tool serves as a template that through several rounds of collaboration, the canvas  was to be filled up while our visions and steps to achieve them are formed. The canvas template that  was used in our workshop is shown below.

More details about this tool can be found at this link: https://designabetterbusiness.tools/tools/5- bold-steps-canvas

Application  We formed our IT managers into 5 groups with 6 to 7 members each to focus each on our identified  areas of concern: Cybersecurity, Agile Transformation, Empower our Business, Future-Ready  Workforce and Platform Strategy. Each group went though three phases of ideation: Phase 1 –  Vision elements and Vision statement; Phase 2 – the Bold Steps; Phase 3 – Supports, Challenges and  Underlying Values. During each phase, members wrote their ideas into post-it notes and sticked  them to the canvas template provided. Members were also free to re-arrange and form cluster with  the post-it notes as themes and patterns emerged.

Upon the completion of the ideation phases, each group explained their canvas to the participants.  Participants were free to walkabout to examine other groups’ canvases closely, ask questions and  give comments. Based on the questions and comments from the participants, each group further  refine on their canvas. The purpose of the workshop was met with the visions and steps (workplan)  recorded in the five canvases produced.

An example of a filled canvas during the workshop is shown below:

Insight  During the workshop I observed how a visual tool can guide ideas generation effectively. I also  observed how post-it notes were re-arranged and themes were identified. The workshop will not be  as effective if conducted with only conversation and discussion without a visual aid.

The canvas also served as a great communication tool when group members explained their ideas to  the participants. Useful conversations were also sparked between group members and participants  which triggered even more useful ideas and insights.

Approach  The workshop was a success that met its objective of identifying a set common agreed visions for  our divisions and our work plans to achieve the vision. In future workshop we will definitely use  similar visual tool to guide our program flow. There are many similar visual tools for different  purpose and for example this site gives us a good repertoire of visual tools:  https://designabetterbusiness.tools/


Challenge In a strategic planning workshop for the IT division of my organization , we gathered our IT managers to identify changes necessary for our division to deliver enhanced values to our organization as well as plans to achieve them . We were to focus on five areas : Cybersecurity , Agile Transformation , Empower our Business , Future - Ready Workforce and Platform Strategy . By the end of the one - day workshop , we were to identify and align common future - oriented visions in these areas and concrete steps towards these visions . Selection This workshop was expected to require a lot of idea generation , exploration and pattern findings for our task of “ designing ” our vision and workplan . As mentioned in the video lecture , visualization allows us to access the non - verbal , creative part of our brains normally not used with just conversation . With the advantage of a visual tool over plain discussion , we sourced for a visual canvas tool : 5 Bold Steps Vision by David Sibbet of the Grove International to guide our flow of the workshop . This tool serves as a template that through several rounds of collaboration , the canvas was to be filled up while our visions and steps to achieve them are formed . The canvas template that was used in our workshop is shown below . More details about this tool can be found at this link : https://designabetterbusiness.tools/tools/5- bold - steps - canvas Application We formed our IT managers into 5 groups with 6 to 7 members each to focus each on our identified areas of concern : Cybersecurity , Agile Transformation , Empower our Business , Future - Ready Workforce and Platform Strategy . Each group went though three phases of ideation : Phase 1 – Vision elements and Vision statement ; Phase 2 – the Bold Steps ; Phase 3 – Supports , Challenges and Underlying Values . During each phase , members wrote their ideas into post - it notes and sticked them to the canvas template provided . Members were also free to re - arrange and form cluster with the post - it notes as themes and patterns emerged . Upon the completion of the ideation phases , each group explained their canvas to the participants . Participants were free to walkabout to examine other groups ’ canvases closely , ask questions and give comments . Based on the questions and comments from the participants , each group further refine on their canvas . The purpose of the workshop was met with the visions and steps ( workplan ) recorded in the five canvases produced . An example of a filled canvas during the workshop is shown below : Insight During the workshop I observed how a visual tool can guide ideas generation effectively . I also observed how post - it notes were re - arranged and themes were identified . The workshop will not be as effective if conducted with only conversation and discussion without a visual aid . The canvas also served as a great communication tool when group members explained their ideas to the participants . Useful conversations were also sparked between group members and participants which triggered even more useful ideas and insights . Approach The workshop was a success that met its objective of identifying a set common agreed visions for our divisions and our work plans to achieve the vision . In future workshop we will definitely use similar visual tool to guide our program flow . There are many similar visual tools for different purpose and for example this site gives us a good repertoire of visual tools : https://designabetterbusiness.tools/