Challenge:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the social service agency where I work has undergone a lot of  changed, at an unprecedented pace.  The global circumstances served as a catalyst for a  number of changes that we had been considering for years.  For the purpose of this exercise, I  will focus on the challenge of how we decided to lay out and use the space in our building.

Selection: This occurred before I started this course, a few months ago, but it does provide an  example of the Visualization tool in action.  We needed a map to our destination, and there  were points we needed to even define that destination ("What do we want to use this space  for?").  Visualization allowed for a common, visible language.

Application: The layout changes we made took place in stages.  Each of those stages had a  physical layout map.  At our first meeting, three coworkers shared their ideas.  We found issues  with each of the layouts, but were able to draw advantages from each of them and combine to  make the perfect (for us) layout.  During phase two, we were less measured and we didn't start  with map.  I noticed at one point that we were just moving around furniture.  While that is  certainly one way to visualize, I pulled out some sticky notes and a rough map, and started we  writing all the uses for the space, as well as different objects, and a couple other considerations  to keep in mind ("ADA compliant," etc).  It took a lot less energy to move around sticky notes,  and it allowed everyone to discuss and see what the end result might look like.

Insight:  I could clearly see the difference between using a physical tool to describe a space and  process and just trying to talk about the process.  This seems extra obvious when working on a  physical layout, but is a good reminder for describing more complex processes too.

Approach: Knowing what I know now, we could have been more intentional about using ths  tool and saved ourselves some initial headaches.  Visualizing it beforehand, and during our  layout enabled multiple people to step in and help, as well as share their valuable perspectives.   And it's not done--I am still listening to feedback from our volunteers, and they love seeing their  suggestions being tried out (signage, adjustable seating, etc).  I tend to want to avoid change,  but I have become much more comfortable with change in the last year.  Thinking of a change  as a "small bet" helps--we really don't have as much to lose.  We are looking at more changes to  come, and I look forward to working through the Design Thinking process at each step along the  way.


Challenge : During the COVID-19 pandemic , the social service agency where I work has undergone a lot of changed , at an unprecedented pace . The global circumstances served as a catalyst for a number of changes that we had been considering for years . For the purpose of this exercise , I will focus on the challenge of how we decided to lay out and use the space in our building . Selection : This occurred before I started this course , a few months ago , but it does provide an example of the Visualization tool in action . We needed a map to our destination , and there were points we needed to even define that destination ( " What do we want to use this space for ? " ) . Visualization allowed for a common , visible language . Application : The layout changes we made took place in stages . Each of those stages had a physical layout map . At our first meeting , three coworkers shared their ideas . We found issues with each of the layouts , but were able to draw advantages from each of them and combine to make the perfect ( for us ) layout . During phase two , we were less measured and we did n't start with map . I noticed at one point that we were just moving around furniture . While that is certainly one way to visualize , I pulled out some sticky notes and a rough map , and started we writing all the uses for the space , as well as different objects , and a couple other considerations to keep in mind ( " ADA compliant , " etc ) . It took a lot less energy to move around sticky notes , and it allowed everyone to discuss and see what the end result might look like . Insight : I could clearly see the difference between using a physical tool to describe a space and process and just trying to talk about the process . This seems extra obvious when working on a physical layout , but is a good reminder for describing more complex processes too . Approach : Knowing what I know now , we could have been more intentional about using ths tool and saved ourselves some initial headaches . Visualizing it beforehand , and during our layout enabled multiple people to step in and help , as well as share their valuable perspectives . And it 's not done -- I am still listening to feedback from our volunteers , and they love seeing their suggestions being tried out ( signage , adjustable seating , etc ) . I tend to want to avoid change , but I have become much more comfortable with change in the last year . Thinking of a change as a " small bet " helps -- we really do n't have as much to lose . We are looking at more changes to come , and I look forward to working through the Design Thinking process at each step along the way .