Design Thinking for Innovation     Learning Launch

Challenge  I am a recent graduate and my challenge is to try solving the problem of the stray animal population  of India by providing unique solutions and trying to bring in players who otherwise would not be  involved otherwise. This project includes just myself and few organizations. The focus will be on  trying to ensure that all stray animals (cats/dogs/cows) have access to food, shelter and medical  help.

Selection  I have gone through various ideas and tools and the best way to test feasibility and gauge response  is through the learning launch tool in a small scale so that the results can be determined quickly.

Application  There are many hotels and shops whose mascots are real life animals. They came to be so because  management had decided to adopt the animal and take care of it. I had wanted to see if I could  create a self-sustaining system in which organizations could foster/adopt strays in tandem with  animal shelters.

For the first learning launch, I approached brick and mortar stores with suitable space and pitched to  them the idea of sheltering stray dogs/cats outside their stores, but within the store premises. The  shelter can teach the stores on basic methods to take care of the stray. A kennel would be provided  and food would be delivered on a regular basis. The strays, before being given to the retail store  would be neutered and given the required vaccines. The idea would be feasible only if the retail  store had overnight security guards who were willing to interact and had no problem with the strays.  In this way, the shelter has a place for a stray which it cannot accommodate and the stray has a new  family to go to.

For the second learning launch, I approached resorts in the outskirts with huge grounds regarding  the same idea, ie. Whether they’d be willing to foster strays in their premises in tandem with  shelters. This would follow a similar approach as above, except, for the food, which would have to  be prepared in house. Another pitch which was given to these resorts was that guests who were  animal lovers, could interact with them and go far as to take the dogs for treks and can even bring in  dogs/cats back to their hotel rooms for a short period. This would be great marketing for the hotel  and the shelter and the animals would also come out on top.

Insight  By applying the learning launch tool, identified the requirements for this plan to work and to design  a system which can make this experience feasible for all parties. In reality, instead of being met with  unwilling partners, I was surprised at the willingness of the retail stores in regard for this initiative.  However, that was just half the job done. There were many areas which had to be optimized in order  for this initiative to work. There had to be a strong network and channels through which all the  pieces can come together. Mainly, in urban areas, the overnight security would have to be given  adequate knowledge in the basic training of animals. The food delivery system would have to be  optimized. A database would have to be maintained of each stray so as to have a record of vaccines  and any medical history. In the out of town resorts, there two main issues, the food could not be  cooked as the hotels would not cook to the food in house. The other problem was the proximity to  vets.

Moving forward there would have to be serious thought to the systems and to create a strong  network so that everything is optimal for all parties.

Approach  Given the response, I have come to the conclusion that the learning launch tool is the best one to be  used in this situation as the feedback was instant. As mentioned, there needs to be a rehashing of  the systems to be created for the goal to be met. Future design plans will reflect these changes and  hence come closer to achieving this goal.


Design Thinking for Innovation Learning Launch Challenge I am a recent graduate and my challenge is to try solving the problem of the stray animal population of India by providing unique solutions and trying to bring in players who otherwise would not be involved otherwise . This project includes just myself and few organizations . The focus will be on trying to ensure that all stray animals ( cats / dogs / cows ) have access to food , shelter and medical help . Selection I have gone through various ideas and tools and the best way to test feasibility and gauge response is through the learning launch tool in a small scale so that the results can be determined quickly . Application There are many hotels and shops whose mascots are real life animals . They came to be so because management had decided to adopt the animal and take care of it . I had wanted to see if I could create a self - sustaining system in which organizations could foster / adopt strays in tandem with animal shelters . For the first learning launch , I approached brick and mortar stores with suitable space and pitched to them the idea of sheltering stray dogs / cats outside their stores , but within the store premises . The shelter can teach the stores on basic methods to take care of the stray . A kennel would be provided and food would be delivered on a regular basis . The strays , before being given to the retail store would be neutered and given the required vaccines . The idea would be feasible only if the retail store had overnight security guards who were willing to interact and had no problem with the strays . In this way , the shelter has a place for a stray which it can not accommodate and the stray has a new family to go to . For the second learning launch , I approached resorts in the outskirts with huge grounds regarding the same idea , ie . Whether they ’d be willing to foster strays in their premises in tandem with shelters . This would follow a similar approach as above , except , for the food , which would have to be prepared in house . Another pitch which was given to these resorts was that guests who were animal lovers , could interact with them and go far as to take the dogs for treks and can even bring in dogs / cats back to their hotel rooms for a short period . This would be great marketing for the hotel and the shelter and the animals would also come out on top . Insight By applying the learning launch tool , identified the requirements for this plan to work and to design a system which can make this experience feasible for all parties . In reality , instead of being met with unwilling partners , I was surprised at the willingness of the retail stores in regard for this initiative . However , that was just half the job done . There were many areas which had to be optimized in order for this initiative to work . There had to be a strong network and channels through which all the pieces can come together . Mainly , in urban areas , the overnight security would have to be given adequate knowledge in the basic training of animals . The food delivery system would have to be optimized . A database would have to be maintained of each stray so as to have a record of vaccines and any medical history . In the out of town resorts , there two main issues , the food could not be cooked as the hotels would not cook to the food in house . The other problem was the proximity to vets . Moving forward there would have to be serious thought to the systems and to create a strong network so that everything is optimal for all parties . Approach Given the response , I have come to the conclusion that the learning launch tool is the best one to be used in this situation as the feedback was instant . As mentioned , there needs to be a rehashing of the systems to be created for the goal to be met . Future design plans will reflect these changes and hence come closer to achieving this goal .