Using Mind Mapping for Optimizing Hardware Deployments at Data Centers 

 Challenge 

 One of the key requirements at most data centers is the ability to accommodate the rapid deployments   of ever changing IT equipment , specifically computer racks . Computer racks are usually very dense   hardware containing servers , storages , or other IT devices .   They consume a lot of space & power , require   specialized power cabling , and must receive uninterrupted power & cooling to keep them operational   24x7 hours , year - round . As technology evolves , the type and rating of these power cables keeps changing .   At any given time , there could be dozens of different types of power cables operating within a single data   center . 

 As a result of this requirement , we had a major challenge at our data centers to provision the needed   specialized power cables in a timely manner for each new computer rack . It was a challenge because it   involved lengthy material procurements & logistics , mostly imported , and required customized on - site   fabrication of the power circuits , i.e. cables , plugs , connectors , etc . 

 Selection 

 Although the main stages of the hardware deployment are well defined , the process itself involves a huge   amount of data , too many parameters and stakeholders , and is not a simple technical problem that can   be analyzed with some engineering calculations . Hence , mind mapping was selected by our team as the   most appropriate tool to answer the “ what is ” question before attempting to answer the “ what if ”   question . This would allow the team get a deeper understanding of the various variables , the dynamic   environment , any restrictions within the process , and figure out those “ unarticulated needs . ” As stated   by Arely Espinosa in the video of week 3 , “ this is just what mind mapping does well . ” 

 Mind mapping engages various stakeholders to visually explore and reach a common understanding of   the issue at hand . It assumes that the various elements surrounding the issue are interconnected in a   structured fashion , and that patterns and themes can be identified once the stakeholders set together to   visualize and share thoughts as one team . Usually , it consists of workshops that enables teams to learn   collectively , which allows new design ideas to surface . 

 Application 

 To tackle this challenge , a team of 12 stakeholders were gathered in a large conference room on three   consecutive days . Large charts were posted on walls illustrating the various stages that each computer   rack goes thru throughout its life cycle inside our data centers . Members were given a chance to review   the charts , then asked to individually and freely mark their comments , likes , dislikes on each chart . A   number of steps then followed , were each team member listened , provided remarks , shared issues ,   highlighted concerns , and elaborated on his role in the hardware deployment process . 

 In three days , lots of color - coded charts depicting a set of common but very specific hardware deployment   issues were identified . These were considered the process themes that also included a set of patterns .   The themes were structured around four main topics : space , power , cooling , and communication . 

 The extensive knowledge that each member of the team gained and the interconnections that were   visualized have set the stage for collective innovative thoughts to streamline the hardware deployment   process . i.e. “ what if ” . Material specifications were standardized , logistics were unified and centralized ,   and everyone ’s focus was aligned and shifted towards common goals : saving time while fulfilling end   users ’ needs to the full extent . The hardware deployment resources that used to consume over four weeks   of preparation are now easily obtained in a week time . This was very remarkable . 

 Insight 

 When the team members were initially invited , they had one specific challenge to look into : identifying   ways to secure the needed specialized power cables in a timely manner for each new computer rack .   However , the mind mapping process enabled far more comprehensive visualization of the whole   computer hardware deployment process . As a result , the innovative ideas that were produced not only   addressed this specific challenge but have also extended to additional challenges relating to space ,   cooling , and communication . The beauty of the tool is that all stakeholders have unanimously agreed to   the new proposals , because they were not imposed on them . This was an essential add - on that naturally   overcome resistance and assured immediate buy - in . 

 Approach 

 The team could have selected visualization as an alternative tool to address the given challenge .   Visualization and mind mapping both rely on extensive visual thinking . In visualization , each stakeholder   would have converted his thoughts into an image that is visible by others . In fact , the same set of diagrams ,   sketches , and charts that were produced in the mind mapping workshop could be used in a visualization   setting . However , with visualization , the process would continue to produce more and more charts and   diagrams that depict the enhanced or innovative solution being sought . This might have tackled the given   single challenge . However , it probably would n’t extend to identify and resolve related hidden challenges .   In other words , visualization is a key component of mind mapping but more results can be achieved with   mind mapping . Of course , this extra achievement is specific to the given hardware deployment challenge ,   as it benefitted from the relatively big number of participating stakeholders who were involved in all   stages of the process and have many common tasks . Visualization might be better suited to other   challenges that have fewer stages or have limited common interactions among the stakeholders . 


EMAIL: 
ID_NUM: 
NAME_STUDENT: 
PHONE_NUM: 
STREET_ADDRESS: 
URL_PERSONAL: 
USERNAME: 

### Task: You are a PII (Personal Identity Information) Detection. Given a essays written by students, you have to identify ONLY the following:
NAME_STUDENT - The full or partial name of a student that is not necessarily the author of the essay. This excludes instructors, authors, and other person names.
EMAIL - A student’s email address.
USERNAME - A student's username on any platform.
ID_NUM - A number or sequence of characters that could be used to identify a student, such as a student ID or a social security number.
PHONE_NUM - A phone number associated with a student.
URL_PERSONAL - A URL that might be used to identify a student.
STREET_ADDRESS - A full or partial street address that is associated with the student, such as their home address.
### Input: Using Mind Mapping for Optimizing Hardware Deployments at Data Centers 

 Challenge 

 One of the key requirements at most data centers is the ability to accommodate the rapid deployments   of ever changing IT equipment , specifically computer racks . Computer racks are usually very dense   hardware containing servers , storages , or other IT devices .   They consume a lot of space & power , require   specialized power cabling , and must receive uninterrupted power & cooling to keep them operational   24x7 hours , year - round . As technology evolves , the type and rating of these power cables keeps changing .   At any given time , there could be dozens of different types of power cables operating within a single data   center . 

 As a result of this requirement , we had a major challenge at our data centers to provision the needed   specialized power cables in a timely manner for each new computer rack . It was a challenge because it   involved lengthy material procurements & logistics , mostly imported , and required customized on - site   fabrication of the power circuits , i.e. cables , plugs , connectors , etc . 

 Selection 

 Although the main stages of the hardware deployment are well defined , the process itself involves a huge   amount of data , too many parameters and stakeholders , and is not a simple technical problem that can   be analyzed with some engineering calculations . Hence , mind mapping was selected by our team as the   most appropriate tool to answer the “ what is ” question before attempting to answer the “ what if ”   question . This would allow the team get a deeper understanding of the various variables , the dynamic   environment , any restrictions within the process , and figure out those “ unarticulated needs . ” As stated   by Arely Espinosa in the video of week 3 , “ this is just what mind mapping does well . ” 

 Mind mapping engages various stakeholders to visually explore and reach a common understanding of   the issue at hand . It assumes that the various elements surrounding the issue are interconnected in a   structured fashion , and that patterns and themes can be identified once the stakeholders set together to   visualize and share thoughts as one team . Usually , it consists of workshops that enables teams to learn   collectively , which allows new design ideas to surface . 

 Application 

 To tackle this challenge , a team of 12 stakeholders were gathered in a large conference room on three   consecutive days . Large charts were posted on walls illustrating the various stages that each computer   rack goes thru throughout its life cycle inside our data centers . Members were given a chance to review   the charts , then asked to individually and freely mark their comments , likes , dislikes on each chart . A   number of steps then followed , were each team member listened , provided remarks , shared issues ,   highlighted concerns , and elaborated on his role in the hardware deployment process . 

 In three days , lots of color - coded charts depicting a set of common but very specific hardware deployment   issues were identified . These were considered the process themes that also included a set of patterns .   The themes were structured around four main topics : space , power , cooling , and communication . 

 The extensive knowledge that each member of the team gained and the interconnections that were   visualized have set the stage for collective innovative thoughts to streamline the hardware deployment   process . i.e. “ what if ” . Material specifications were standardized , logistics were unified and centralized ,   and everyone ’s focus was aligned and shifted towards common goals : saving time while fulfilling end   users ’ needs to the full extent . The hardware deployment resources that used to consume over four weeks   of preparation are now easily obtained in a week time . This was very remarkable . 

 Insight 

 When the team members were initially invited , they had one specific challenge to look into : identifying   ways to secure the needed specialized power cables in a timely manner for each new computer rack .   However , the mind mapping process enabled far more comprehensive visualization of the whole   computer hardware deployment process . As a result , the innovative ideas that were produced not only   addressed this specific challenge but have also extended to additional challenges relating to space ,   cooling , and communication . The beauty of the tool is that all stakeholders have unanimously agreed to   the new proposals , because they were not imposed on them . This was an essential add - on that naturally   overcome resistance and assured immediate buy - in . 

 Approach 

 The team could have selected visualization as an alternative tool to address the given challenge .   Visualization and mind mapping both rely on extensive visual thinking . In visualization , each stakeholder   would have converted his thoughts into an image that is visible by others . In fact , the same set of diagrams ,   sketches , and charts that were produced in the mind mapping workshop could be used in a visualization   setting . However , with visualization , the process would continue to produce more and more charts and   diagrams that depict the enhanced or innovative solution being sought . This might have tackled the given   single challenge . However , it probably would n’t extend to identify and resolve related hidden challenges .   In other words , visualization is a key component of mind mapping but more results can be achieved with   mind mapping . Of course , this extra achievement is specific to the given hardware deployment challenge ,   as it benefitted from the relatively big number of participating stakeholders who were involved in all   stages of the process and have many common tasks . Visualization might be better suited to other   challenges that have fewer stages or have limited common interactions among the stakeholders .
### Output: 