Reflection – Mind-mapping

Challenge

I currently work in the event management department of an art and design company for the last two  years. Most of the time, we have to deal with clients who want to plan a breath-taking event but do not  have any idea what they actually want, and sometimes they are unable to explain in specific words what  the picture in their heads looks like. In these situations, we find letting them talk freely helps in providing  better clarity.

Selection

To combat this issue, we found mind mapping to be an effective tool. Mind-mapping is a design thinking  tool that makes it easier to break down a goal into actionable tasks. They kickstart creativity, help in  generating and capturing ideas, and helps weigh multiple options to ensure the best possible choice is  implemented. This tool can take the ideas captured in one’s mind and map them into tasks and plans that  can be attainable.

Application

This tool came especially handy when I faced my first big challenge in the company – organizing an event  on my own for the first time. I was nervous and excited at the same time. The client was a fussy old lady  who wanted a grand event but could not explain what she meant by grand. She required help organizing  a one-day event for a family get-together. We had a rocky start, but that is when I remembered a colleague  using mind-mapping as a tool to tackle a similar client. I put on a smile, asked her to sit down, breathe,  and just talk about her life. She spoke about herself and her family, how much fun they had during get- togethers, and their likes and dislikes. The more she spoke without any inhibitions, the more data I  collected. The data seemed random and confusing, but when I went back to my workstation and  translated this data into a mind map, I was astounded at the level of clarity I now had. When I showed the  client the mind map, she was hugely impressed. We went back and forth and made further changes until  we were both satisfied. I had much more confidence than I had initially, and the event turned out to be a  huge success.

Insight

Despite coming from a design background, I hadn’t fully appreciated the power of these tools until I had  managed an event all on my own, using mind-mapping. It helped in making swift and timely decisions with  regards to venue, invitations, guests, budget, theme, decorations, catering, and entertainment. The mind  map tool ensured we didn’t forget anything and also found ways to get contingency plans into place. It  proved to be an easy and effective approach to jot down the requirements, analyze the expected results,  and narrow down the problem areas with respect to the budget and practicality. In my opinion, the usage  of this tool made the whole event thoroughly organized.

Approach

My work experience, as well as the insights I received from attending this course, has helped me fully  value the efficacy of the tools of design thinking. Although I find mind-mapping an effective technique, I  am looking forward to applying storytelling and visualization to organize an event. I would like to compare

the results of these techniques against the results of utilizing mind-mapping and find a hybrid usage of  these tools to provide better solutions and wow the clients further.


Reflection – Mind - mapping Challenge I currently work in the event management department of an art and design company for the last two years . Most of the time , we have to deal with clients who want to plan a breath - taking event but do not have any idea what they actually want , and sometimes they are unable to explain in specific words what the picture in their heads looks like . In these situations , we find letting them talk freely helps in providing better clarity . Selection To combat this issue , we found mind mapping to be an effective tool . Mind - mapping is a design thinking tool that makes it easier to break down a goal into actionable tasks . They kickstart creativity , help in generating and capturing ideas , and helps weigh multiple options to ensure the best possible choice is implemented . This tool can take the ideas captured in one ’s mind and map them into tasks and plans that can be attainable . Application This tool came especially handy when I faced my first big challenge in the company – organizing an event on my own for the first time . I was nervous and excited at the same time . The client was a fussy old lady who wanted a grand event but could not explain what she meant by grand . She required help organizing a one - day event for a family get - together . We had a rocky start , but that is when I remembered a colleague using mind - mapping as a tool to tackle a similar client . I put on a smile , asked her to sit down , breathe , and just talk about her life . She spoke about herself and her family , how much fun they had during get- togethers , and their likes and dislikes . The more she spoke without any inhibitions , the more data I collected . The data seemed random and confusing , but when I went back to my workstation and translated this data into a mind map , I was astounded at the level of clarity I now had . When I showed the client the mind map , she was hugely impressed . We went back and forth and made further changes until we were both satisfied . I had much more confidence than I had initially , and the event turned out to be a huge success . Insight Despite coming from a design background , I had n’t fully appreciated the power of these tools until I had managed an event all on my own , using mind - mapping . It helped in making swift and timely decisions with regards to venue , invitations , guests , budget , theme , decorations , catering , and entertainment . The mind map tool ensured we did n’t forget anything and also found ways to get contingency plans into place . It proved to be an easy and effective approach to jot down the requirements , analyze the expected results , and narrow down the problem areas with respect to the budget and practicality . In my opinion , the usage of this tool made the whole event thoroughly organized . Approach My work experience , as well as the insights I received from attending this course , has helped me fully value the efficacy of the tools of design thinking . Although I find mind - mapping an effective technique , I am looking forward to applying storytelling and visualization to organize an event . I would like to compare the results of these techniques against the results of utilizing mind - mapping and find a hybrid usage of these tools to provide better solutions and wow the clients further .