Reflection - Mind Mapping 

 1 . Challenge 

 My job position requires me to collect data from different operating regions each year for 

 reporting purpose . Different types of data are collected and involve many different departments 

 and up to 100 colleagues . Our challenge often lies in the collection of data within a short 

 timeframe and further processing the data for further validation . This year , my department 

 wants to develop an online database system ( ODS ) to collect data for the convenience of our 

 regional staff . The project scope involves developing an online data system from scratch . We 

 want to try to find solutions as to how we can automate data collection and processing 

 procedure and uncover user preference , needs and habits while also meeting the data 

 validation , analysis and reporting requirements . 

 2 . Selection 

 To help identify the essential functions and navigating features of the online database system , 

 mind mapping technique was used . Mind mapping is a useful tool which can help facilitate the 

 search for patterns and themes of our stakeholders to shape the fundamentals of our ODS . 

 Through mind mapping , the team could reach common understanding towards a user friendly   and operable user interface . 

 3 . Application : 

 My team worked on producing a mind mapping exercise to help us identify needs for the ODS . 

 Before the exercise , the team already had knowledge on the ODS and was given a brief 

 introduction on the background of the mind mapping exercise . We placed a large blank sheet in 

 the middle of the table . We then wrote ODS as our main topic in the middle of the blanks sheet . 

 Then we drew branches and thought of adjectives that would describe our ODS ( e.g. simple , 

 usable , easy , compatible ) . Next , we started to draw sub - branches and elaborated on the 

 adjectives and brainstormed for features , designs and methods which can help to achieve the 

 identified adjectives . We made use of colours and visuals to help explain the concept better . 

 After the mind mapping exercise , we started to analyse our thoughts by grouping similar 

 concept together . For example , for adjective “ easy ” one of the keywords in the sub - branch was 

 “ links ” and for adjective “ simple ” one of the keywords in the sub - branch was “ menu ” . The two 

 features all point out to the concept of easy navigation . The analysis exercise helped to create a 

 list of main concept , design features and functions in the ODS . The team then used this list to   discuss with our IT department and programmer on the requirements . 

 4 . Insight and Approach 

 By applying mind mapping tools , it helped the team drill in depth on the topic and identify 

 hidden problems and risks that may have been neglected before . Mind mapping allowed the 

 team to visualize the online platform through the use of word , images , numbers , symbols and 

 colour . It helped draw inter - relationship between different sub - branches and while we started 

 to diverge and create branches along a topic . We ended up converging our thought around a 

 certain concept / theme , helping us define and prioritize our goals while moving forward . In the 

 next stage , our team will review the results from the mind mapping exercise and incorporate 

 into the ODS . I found that using graphics and colours during mind mapping particularly useful . 

 As the saying “ a picture is worth a thousand words ” , one is able to observe many details and 

 hidden messages through drawings and adoption of colours . 

 Mind mapping is an exercise that can aid the thinking process as it allows the brain to radiate 

 different thoughts and ideas instead of traditional linear thinking . It can help identify risks and 

 needs in which the results are useful in planning and overall project management .   Next time , I 

 will add an empathize stage after this exercise . I would invite relevant stakeholders for a 

 workshop to understand their online navigating patterns through direct observation . Direct 

 observation an a very useful way of understanding the behavior and difficulties faced by users   as we could directly watch them toggle with the applications . 


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: Reflection - Mind Mapping 

 1 . Challenge 

 My job position requires me to collect data from different operating regions each year for 

 reporting purpose . Different types of data are collected and involve many different departments 

 and up to 100 colleagues . Our challenge often lies in the collection of data within a short 

 timeframe and further processing the data for further validation . This year , my department 

 wants to develop an online database system ( ODS ) to collect data for the convenience of our 

 regional staff . The project scope involves developing an online data system from scratch . We 

 want to try to find solutions as to how we can automate data collection and processing 

 procedure and uncover user preference , needs and habits while also meeting the data 

 validation , analysis and reporting requirements . 

 2 . Selection 

 To help identify the essential functions and navigating features of the online database system , 

 mind mapping technique was used . Mind mapping is a useful tool which can help facilitate the 

 search for patterns and themes of our stakeholders to shape the fundamentals of our ODS . 

 Through mind mapping , the team could reach common understanding towards a user friendly   and operable user interface . 

 3 . Application : 

 My team worked on producing a mind mapping exercise to help us identify needs for the ODS . 

 Before the exercise , the team already had knowledge on the ODS and was given a brief 

 introduction on the background of the mind mapping exercise . We placed a large blank sheet in 

 the middle of the table . We then wrote ODS as our main topic in the middle of the blanks sheet . 

 Then we drew branches and thought of adjectives that would describe our ODS ( e.g. simple , 

 usable , easy , compatible ) . Next , we started to draw sub - branches and elaborated on the 

 adjectives and brainstormed for features , designs and methods which can help to achieve the 

 identified adjectives . We made use of colours and visuals to help explain the concept better . 

 After the mind mapping exercise , we started to analyse our thoughts by grouping similar 

 concept together . For example , for adjective “ easy ” one of the keywords in the sub - branch was 

 “ links ” and for adjective “ simple ” one of the keywords in the sub - branch was “ menu ” . The two 

 features all point out to the concept of easy navigation . The analysis exercise helped to create a 

 list of main concept , design features and functions in the ODS . The team then used this list to   discuss with our IT department and programmer on the requirements . 

 4 . Insight and Approach 

 By applying mind mapping tools , it helped the team drill in depth on the topic and identify 

 hidden problems and risks that may have been neglected before . Mind mapping allowed the 

 team to visualize the online platform through the use of word , images , numbers , symbols and 

 colour . It helped draw inter - relationship between different sub - branches and while we started 

 to diverge and create branches along a topic . We ended up converging our thought around a 

 certain concept / theme , helping us define and prioritize our goals while moving forward . In the 

 next stage , our team will review the results from the mind mapping exercise and incorporate 

 into the ODS . I found that using graphics and colours during mind mapping particularly useful . 

 As the saying “ a picture is worth a thousand words ” , one is able to observe many details and 

 hidden messages through drawings and adoption of colours . 

 Mind mapping is an exercise that can aid the thinking process as it allows the brain to radiate 

 different thoughts and ideas instead of traditional linear thinking . It can help identify risks and 

 needs in which the results are useful in planning and overall project management .   Next time , I 

 will add an empathize stage after this exercise . I would invite relevant stakeholders for a 

 workshop to understand their online navigating patterns through direct observation . Direct 

 observation an a very useful way of understanding the behavior and difficulties faced by users   as we could directly watch them toggle with the applications .
### Output: 