Challenge Description –   As a student studying Dentistry in India, one of the subjects we deal with  is Prosthodontics which includes designing dentures for edentulous  individuals. It involves the usage of PMMA, a volatile substance  that evaporates and on prolonged exposure causes  respiratory diseases such as Asthma and bronchial irritation.  This adds as an occupational hazard for dentists.  Since there is no other  chemical to replace the substance, our team tried to think of an  innovative way to deal with the challenge. Our challenge was trying to  convey the solution to the 40 people involved since not everyone saw the  solution similarly in their heads.    Tool Selection – Visualization   “Visualization is really important. For the process of design because it's  actually a way of unlocking a different part of brain. It allows us to think  in a nonverbal way. Visualization isn't really about drawing, though. It's  actually about visual thinking, and we all do it.   Visualization is anything from the things we write on a chalkboard or a whiteboard.”  Video – Visualization Tool Module 1.    We specifically used this tool of visualization because it helped us  convey the message to each other in the team and even to our senior  staff in an easier way to make sure we were all in the same thought  process. When working with large teams, ideas conveyed by words get  lost in conversation. A detailed visualization chart helped us to get rid of  the barrier.    Tool Application –    We used this technique to try and visualize an easier way to  dispense the material without the interaction of it’s fumes with the  respiratory passage by using an empty card board box attached with a  paper made exhaust fan, wondering what it would be like to use the  material in a closed space with the fumes being directed elsewhere and  thereby decreasing exposure.

We drew diagrams and tried explaining the tool to our supervisors. It  was an effective way to explain the process to our seniors.    Insights –    The insight gained here was that visualization can help ensure our  thoughts are all drawing a similar picture. It also helped us see the  limitations that could come by restricted use of space that would be  brought forth and helped us all find solutions for it.     It helped us manage the problem effectively as everyone was seeing a  similar picture and identifying the same set-up which saved our time  trying to convey the idea across to everyone.     Approach –  Using any other tool wouldn’t have been helpful as our problem was  trying to get the message across to a large group of people. Story telling  or Mind Mapping would be inefficient as no one would be seeing the  solution placed in front of them as we did with visualizing the process.


Challenge Description – As a student studying Dentistry in India , one of the subjects we deal with is Prosthodontics which includes designing dentures for edentulous individuals . It involves the usage of PMMA , a volatile substance that evaporates and on prolonged exposure causes respiratory diseases such as Asthma and bronchial irritation . This adds as an occupational hazard for dentists . Since there is no other chemical to replace the substance , our team tried to think of an innovative way to deal with the challenge . Our challenge was trying to convey the solution to the 40 people involved since not everyone saw the solution similarly in their heads . Tool Selection – Visualization “ Visualization is really important . For the process of design because it 's actually a way of unlocking a different part of brain . It allows us to think in a nonverbal way . Visualization is n't really about drawing , though . It 's actually about visual thinking , and we all do it . Visualization is anything from the things we write on a chalkboard or a whiteboard . ” Video – Visualization Tool Module 1 . We specifically used this tool of visualization because it helped us convey the message to each other in the team and even to our senior staff in an easier way to make sure we were all in the same thought process . When working with large teams , ideas conveyed by words get lost in conversation . A detailed visualization chart helped us to get rid of the barrier . Tool Application – We used this technique to try and visualize an easier way to dispense the material without the interaction of it ’s fumes with the respiratory passage by using an empty card board box attached with a paper made exhaust fan , wondering what it would be like to use the material in a closed space with the fumes being directed elsewhere and thereby decreasing exposure . We drew diagrams and tried explaining the tool to our supervisors . It was an effective way to explain the process to our seniors . Insights – The insight gained here was that visualization can help ensure our thoughts are all drawing a similar picture . It also helped us see the limitations that could come by restricted use of space that would be brought forth and helped us all find solutions for it . It helped us manage the problem effectively as everyone was seeing a similar picture and identifying the same set - up which saved our time trying to convey the idea across to everyone . Approach – Using any other tool would n’t have been helpful as our problem was trying to get the message across to a large group of people . Story telling or Mind Mapping would be inefficient as no one would be seeing the solution placed in front of them as we did with visualizing the process .