Reflection- Visualisation

Challenge and Selection

As a consultant, during my internship, I understood how to execute visualisation effectively. My  clientele involved top company executives, approaching my organisation with various challenges  sometimes known and sometimes unknown. Since, I had done a lot of research work as a part of my  initial training, I occasionally knew the challenge they might be facing. To deeply understand the issue  they were facing, I would pose them questions to understand the firms’ pain points and collect the  data specific for the firm. I would also identify the stakeholders who are getting impacted and would  represent them using straw graphics. To represent the data collected using secondary research, I  would use charts and graphs for easier readability.

Application

Upon collecting data from existing materials and interview, I would start representing the data on a  white board and define a layout of the powerpoint slide, with the shapes, symbols and straw graphics.  The existing materials would be available in proprietary database that may be old case studies,  operational or procedural documents, training materials, marketing materials etc.

Once, I had a layout of slide defining the problem, I would create and complete that slide.

Further, I would do research for solving the problem and to represent the case and solutions, I would  use visual tools like flow diagrams, matrix and web charts drawn on a whiteboard. I would stick post- it notes with colour coding (for intensity of problem or solutions) wherever it deemed fit. This sort of  visualisation assisted me to focus on the key areas and if needed, I could show this progress to my  manager and help him be up to speed in a short time. He would know my progress and guide whenever  and wherever he felt I was stuck.

The final solutions arrived using this visual representation on whiteboard were replicated on the  powerpoint slides and were part of the deck to the client.

Insight & Approach

What I have learned from conducting this exercise with several groups is that while the graphic –  especially the revised graphic that incorporates their feedback – is important for reinforcing their  understanding of the problem they are working to solve, the more valuable aspect of the activity is  the shared insights and shared learning that occurs while they are working to define their problem  space. The graphic gives the diverse group of stakeholders a focal point for discussion that allows them  to share their perspectives and develop insights into potential root causes of their problems. The  representation of solutions using flow charts helped the thought structure to flow as I had while  creating them. The charts and graphs enhanced the readability of the mere excel tables and follow  the presentation.

Since I discovered that the most valuable aspect is the shared insights and learning, next time I would  use the visualization activity as a starting point for a series of design thinking activities. Then the  revised graphic that incorporates their combined feedback can serve as a reference tool throughout  the remainder of their work


Reflection- Visualisation Challenge and Selection As a consultant , during my internship , I understood how to execute visualisation effectively . My clientele involved top company executives , approaching my organisation with various challenges sometimes known and sometimes unknown . Since , I had done a lot of research work as a part of my initial training , I occasionally knew the challenge they might be facing . To deeply understand the issue they were facing , I would pose them questions to understand the firms ’ pain points and collect the data specific for the firm . I would also identify the stakeholders who are getting impacted and would represent them using straw graphics . To represent the data collected using secondary research , I would use charts and graphs for easier readability . Application Upon collecting data from existing materials and interview , I would start representing the data on a white board and define a layout of the powerpoint slide , with the shapes , symbols and straw graphics . The existing materials would be available in proprietary database that may be old case studies , operational or procedural documents , training materials , marketing materials etc . Once , I had a layout of slide defining the problem , I would create and complete that slide . Further , I would do research for solving the problem and to represent the case and solutions , I would use visual tools like flow diagrams , matrix and web charts drawn on a whiteboard . I would stick post- it notes with colour coding ( for intensity of problem or solutions ) wherever it deemed fit . This sort of visualisation assisted me to focus on the key areas and if needed , I could show this progress to my manager and help him be up to speed in a short time . He would know my progress and guide whenever and wherever he felt I was stuck . The final solutions arrived using this visual representation on whiteboard were replicated on the powerpoint slides and were part of the deck to the client . Insight & Approach What I have learned from conducting this exercise with several groups is that while the graphic – especially the revised graphic that incorporates their feedback – is important for reinforcing their understanding of the problem they are working to solve , the more valuable aspect of the activity is the shared insights and shared learning that occurs while they are working to define their problem space . The graphic gives the diverse group of stakeholders a focal point for discussion that allows them to share their perspectives and develop insights into potential root causes of their problems . The representation of solutions using flow charts helped the thought structure to flow as I had while creating them . The charts and graphs enhanced the readability of the mere excel tables and follow the presentation . Since I discovered that the most valuable aspect is the shared insights and learning , next time I would use the visualization activity as a starting point for a series of design thinking activities . Then the revised graphic that incorporates their combined feedback can serve as a reference tool throughout the remainder of their work