Visualization Tool

1. Challenge

One of the projects we recently had at school was about finding new business opportunities for

second life batteries. For this project, a car manufacturer was our main stakeholder, the one

looking for repurposing the batteries and generate a new business model. I come from a design

background and had little or not knowledge at all in regards of second life batteries, how do they

work, how is the batteries business nor the manufacturer business.

2. Selection

The visualization tool helped me to understand better the context. Reunited with two different

employees from the car manufacturer, I use the visualization tool to help me see the big picture.

In other words, how is the current business, who are their clients, what are their values, among

other questions. This process helped me to define the scope and find the relationship between

the batteries and the company. In addition, since some of the terms are really engineering ones

that I had not knowledge, the visualization tool made the communication easier, so mechanical

and electrical matter could be described in visual modes.

3. Application

I start by asking some basic information regarding the company and why they considered this

new project. Right after I began with one battery drawing in the middle and start asking questions

regarding the topic. I asked the participants to draw their ideas and concepts of the answer. A lot

of arrows were used to help to see the relation between all those elements.

One of the most feared things about using the visualization tool with the stakeholders is the

classic “I do not know how to draw”. As soon as I started to explain and take out markers, the

face of the stakeholders described everything. One even mentioned, “ Don’t judge me for my

drawing skills”. But it was just a matter of time for them to loosen up and stop caring about

drawing beautiful or not.

Finally, we came out with a great visualization that explains the whole idea of the project. In other

words, what we know, what we do not know and what we need to know. The scope was more

clearly defined and grounded.

4. Insight

I got a lot of insights from this session. First of all, the whole project was clearer, for both sides,

the stakeholders and myself. From both sides the in-depth knowledge obtained was very

valuable. Additionally it helped to be all in the same page of what the challenge was. Since, the

whole visualization was co-created. This visualization can also be further used to explain the

challenge to different people within the company. It turned out that this tool really made us step

out of the box and see from the outside.

5. Approach

I believe the use of the visualization tool went the right way. Nevertheless, there is always space

for improvement. One of the things I would have done differently is including more people into

the tool. Secondly, maybe make a second visualization, something more “clear and pleasant to

see” right after all the discussion and feedback. Then, the second visualization can be better

utilised for other purposes.

1. Approach: Describe what you might do differently next time -- applying the same  tool you selected or a different one -- and the reason(s) why.


Visualization Tool 1 . Challenge One of the projects we recently had at school was about finding new business opportunities for second life batteries . For this project , a car manufacturer was our main stakeholder , the one looking for repurposing the batteries and generate a new business model . I come from a design background and had little or not knowledge at all in regards of second life batteries , how do they work , how is the batteries business nor the manufacturer business . 2 . Selection The visualization tool helped me to understand better the context . Reunited with two different employees from the car manufacturer , I use the visualization tool to help me see the big picture . In other words , how is the current business , who are their clients , what are their values , among other questions . This process helped me to define the scope and find the relationship between the batteries and the company . In addition , since some of the terms are really engineering ones that I had not knowledge , the visualization tool made the communication easier , so mechanical and electrical matter could be described in visual modes . 3 . Application I start by asking some basic information regarding the company and why they considered this new project . Right after I began with one battery drawing in the middle and start asking questions regarding the topic . I asked the participants to draw their ideas and concepts of the answer . A lot of arrows were used to help to see the relation between all those elements . One of the most feared things about using the visualization tool with the stakeholders is the classic “ I do not know how to draw ” . As soon as I started to explain and take out markers , the face of the stakeholders described everything . One even mentioned , “ Do n’t judge me for my drawing skills ” . But it was just a matter of time for them to loosen up and stop caring about drawing beautiful or not . Finally , we came out with a great visualization that explains the whole idea of the project . In other words , what we know , what we do not know and what we need to know . The scope was more clearly defined and grounded . 4 . Insight I got a lot of insights from this session . First of all , the whole project was clearer , for both sides , the stakeholders and myself . From both sides the in - depth knowledge obtained was very valuable . Additionally it helped to be all in the same page of what the challenge was . Since , the whole visualization was co - created . This visualization can also be further used to explain the challenge to different people within the company . It turned out that this tool really made us step out of the box and see from the outside . 5 . Approach I believe the use of the visualization tool went the right way . Nevertheless , there is always space for improvement . One of the things I would have done differently is including more people into the tool . Secondly , maybe make a second visualization , something more “ clear and pleasant to see ” right after all the discussion and feedback . Then , the second visualization can be better utilised for other purposes . 1 . Approach : Describe what you might do differently next time -- applying the same tool you selected or a different one -- and the reason(s ) why .