Reflection – Mind mapping

Challenge

Recently, our company was successful in renewing its contract for another four years with a reputed  Insurance client. But during the process one of the major feedback we got was that we need to improve  on our knowledge index within the team as many a times we would struggle during projects due to lack of  proper subject matter experts. The leadership team took this feedback seriously and promised to  implement a solution & report the progress. I was part of the team that was tasked to come up with a  program that would create a continuous learning experience while at work. During the initial days of our  journey, there was lot of confusion amongst the team while communicating their ideas. This made me  realize that there was an opportunity to apply a design technique

Selection

The best way to relay your inner thoughts to a group of audience is using a mind map. It actually also  helps you list out all the activities that you have in mind too. Hence, I selected mind map to present my  idea for a good learning program.

Application

In order to solve the problem it is important to list out all the ingredients required for a good program. But  the ordinary method of listing out stuff in sequential order wasn’t helping. So I placed the learning  program in the center and then placed the important ingredients around it connecting them wherever  required. There were different solutions around the problem or we could combine some of them to create  a hybrid approach. The idea was to present it in a way that is easily conceivable by the audience. In the  next meeting with the team, I was able to present it and everyone was able to comprehend what I were  trying to portray. The mind map showed the importance of having a plan which listed out the activities to  be covered, the mentors, the new joiners, the evaluation criteria and how the regular work timings should  be adjusted. It also explained how we need to create self-paced online trainings or webinars so that  people can conveniently study according to their hectic schedule. The role of management team in  supporting the mentors and new joiners was depicted in terms how the work schedule needs to be  adjusted to accommodate learning hours, how the evaluation & feedback process is important. Moreover,  the mind map showed that in order to maintain the continuity of the program it should be applied in a  fashion that the learning program evolved with people changing their roles as they progress. Eventually  with the help of the mind map we were able to present an idea for a knowledge management program  which the stake holders liked very much

Insight

What I learned by creating a mind map to solve the problem was that how a visual picture helped in  connecting with my peer group. We were able to quickly focus on relevant topics and discuss on points to  refine the scenario. Feedback was easier because there was something very simple to comprehend in  front of the team’s eyes. Collectively we were able to agree and disagree on points. This helped us to  quickly move on to the next phase together. One of the key advantage is if something is missing in our  diagram people can easily point it out and help connect the dots. It will make the idea even greater with  creative inputs flowing into the discussion. This is definitely a better approach than verbal interaction that  goes on for hours.

Approach

The challenge in creating a mind map is that you need to depict things in a way that it is simple for people  to comprehend. In future, I would like to hone my skills in visually representing my idea in a better. Since  this was the first time, I am sure that there is a scope of improvement when it comes to organizing the  points to be shown & connecting the dots. The collective feedback process gave me a lot of insight into  how I can refine myself in future scenario. I think that going forward, I will use mind map to depict the  “What if?” scenario as it creates an impact with the team and audience.


Reflection – Mind mapping Challenge Recently , our company was successful in renewing its contract for another four years with a reputed Insurance client . But during the process one of the major feedback we got was that we need to improve on our knowledge index within the team as many a times we would struggle during projects due to lack of proper subject matter experts . The leadership team took this feedback seriously and promised to implement a solution & report the progress . I was part of the team that was tasked to come up with a program that would create a continuous learning experience while at work . During the initial days of our journey , there was lot of confusion amongst the team while communicating their ideas . This made me realize that there was an opportunity to apply a design technique Selection The best way to relay your inner thoughts to a group of audience is using a mind map . It actually also helps you list out all the activities that you have in mind too . Hence , I selected mind map to present my idea for a good learning program . Application In order to solve the problem it is important to list out all the ingredients required for a good program . But the ordinary method of listing out stuff in sequential order was n’t helping . So I placed the learning program in the center and then placed the important ingredients around it connecting them wherever required . There were different solutions around the problem or we could combine some of them to create a hybrid approach . The idea was to present it in a way that is easily conceivable by the audience . In the next meeting with the team , I was able to present it and everyone was able to comprehend what I were trying to portray . The mind map showed the importance of having a plan which listed out the activities to be covered , the mentors , the new joiners , the evaluation criteria and how the regular work timings should be adjusted . It also explained how we need to create self - paced online trainings or webinars so that people can conveniently study according to their hectic schedule . The role of management team in supporting the mentors and new joiners was depicted in terms how the work schedule needs to be adjusted to accommodate learning hours , how the evaluation & feedback process is important . Moreover , the mind map showed that in order to maintain the continuity of the program it should be applied in a fashion that the learning program evolved with people changing their roles as they progress . Eventually with the help of the mind map we were able to present an idea for a knowledge management program which the stake holders liked very much Insight What I learned by creating a mind map to solve the problem was that how a visual picture helped in connecting with my peer group . We were able to quickly focus on relevant topics and discuss on points to refine the scenario . Feedback was easier because there was something very simple to comprehend in front of the team ’s eyes . Collectively we were able to agree and disagree on points . This helped us to quickly move on to the next phase together . One of the key advantage is if something is missing in our diagram people can easily point it out and help connect the dots . It will make the idea even greater with creative inputs flowing into the discussion . This is definitely a better approach than verbal interaction that goes on for hours . Approach The challenge in creating a mind map is that you need to depict things in a way that it is simple for people to comprehend . In future , I would like to hone my skills in visually representing my idea in a better . Since this was the first time , I am sure that there is a scope of improvement when it comes to organizing the points to be shown & connecting the dots . The collective feedback process gave me a lot of insight into how I can refine myself in future scenario . I think that going forward , I will use mind map to depict the “ What if ? ” scenario as it creates an impact with the team and audience .