Reflection – Visualization 

 Challenge & Selection 

 Visualization is a tool that I commonly use as it provides a variety of   benefits for both individual and collective problem solving . 

 As a strategy consultant , I often work with senior management that are   very numbers - driven and place emphasis on macro - economic factors such   as interest rates and overall market developments . Using visualization has   two key benefits with regards to this target group . First , it enables me to   empathize with the managers and display very complex insights with visual   tools such as charts , processes , driver trees etc . which enables them to   absorb a lot of information in short time which is crucial given their packed   schedules . 

 The second benefit , where I would like to focus on , is the ability of using   visualization to spur the creativity of senior executives and develop creative   solutions together .   Very often , the focus on macro trends and numbers   does not cater for the volatility in today 's business . Nowadays , a deep   understanding of customers ' needs and an effectual logic is more important   than data - driven analysis . Using visualization cultivates using the right side   of the brain and allows the managers to empathize and truly understand   hidden customer needs and develop tangible solutions for the existing   problems . 

 Application 

 Usually , I start the process by drawing the current customer journey of the   problem domain . In order to lay out the customer journey , I will combine   ethnographic research methods such as observation and ethnographic   interviews with secondary research sources such as our consulting firm- internal knowledge and insights from the client . Next , I will add the relevant   stakeholders that are involved in the process steps and lay out the various   functional jobs to be done and emotional needs the customer has along   the customer journey . Based on first insights , I will also complement the   initial customer pain points we have identified along the journey in order to   discuss them with managers and start a discussion on the four questions   " What is ? " , " What if ? " , " What wows ? " and " What works ? " . 

 However , the visualization does not stop there . Throughout the whole   process , visualization is key in order to present ideas , share insights and   develop solutions . Especially in the phases " What if ? " and " What wows ? " ,   visualization is essential in order to drive the solution finding process . I use   visualization in brainstorming sessions with visual props such as nudge   cards and stickers to cluster and rate ideas . In concept development ,   sketching is crucial to present initial ideas so that other participants   understand one 's thinking and can add valuable input to the initial ideas . In   later stages , very simple prototyping can enhance product development   with rapid learning and save costs . Rather than investing heavily in   expensive " real " prototypes , we often use mock - ups in order to see how   potential users react to the idea . This very tangible visualization has   proofed to be a very valuable part of every development process . 

 Insight & Approach 

 Visualization is a crucial part throughout the whole design thinking process .   It enables to present insights and ideas in a tangible way , fosters individual   and collaborative creativity and enhances cooperation among individuals . I   have learned that it is important to give enough freedom and flexibility in   the process . Very often , I have observed that people that are not familiar   with this process are rushing towards solutions and try to be as efficient as   possible . However , in order to solve the wicked problems that are best   suited for design thinking , it is important to give enough freedom and bring   together different perspectives from different backgrounds . Only then it is   possible to make use of the tools such as visualization among others . Even   though the visualization does not have to be perfect , it is important to keep   in mind that the visualization is only a representation of the whole   underlying process . Therefore , any shortcuts in the analysis or problem   solving will be seen in insufficient visual representations . 

 Moreover , it is useful to use templates and provide structures in order to   provide some guidance to the individuals involved in the process .   Otherwise , people might feel lost and overwhelmed in the process ,   especially when they are not familiar with the methodology and tools . By   using templates and structures , the flexibility and creativity can also be   channeled in a more efficient manner which takes the realities in the   business world regarding responsibilities and time pressure into account . 

 In a nutshell , I can confidently say , that using design thinking and   especially visualization is very helpful for dealing with senior executives   and is not limited to the obvious " creative roles " within the company .   Visualization helps executives to grasp crucial information in short time ,   understand and empathize with users and customers which grounds their   thinking and enables them to combine their " macro " and strategic thinking   with the everyday life of customers and their hidden needs for better   products and services . 

 I would always use visualization as a key pillar for every design thinking   process and also in other spheres . It is important to keep in mind that the   chosen visualization tool has to fit the purpose of task and the stage in the   process . Whereas in initial phases , it is important to share ideas and get a   shared understanding , visualization in later stages has to support the   validation of initial solutions and feed the feedback loop for more   sophisticated solutions . 


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 – Visualization 

 Challenge & Selection 

 Visualization is a tool that I commonly use as it provides a variety of   benefits for both individual and collective problem solving . 

 As a strategy consultant , I often work with senior management that are   very numbers - driven and place emphasis on macro - economic factors such   as interest rates and overall market developments . Using visualization has   two key benefits with regards to this target group . First , it enables me to   empathize with the managers and display very complex insights with visual   tools such as charts , processes , driver trees etc . which enables them to   absorb a lot of information in short time which is crucial given their packed   schedules . 

 The second benefit , where I would like to focus on , is the ability of using   visualization to spur the creativity of senior executives and develop creative   solutions together .   Very often , the focus on macro trends and numbers   does not cater for the volatility in today 's business . Nowadays , a deep   understanding of customers ' needs and an effectual logic is more important   than data - driven analysis . Using visualization cultivates using the right side   of the brain and allows the managers to empathize and truly understand   hidden customer needs and develop tangible solutions for the existing   problems . 

 Application 

 Usually , I start the process by drawing the current customer journey of the   problem domain . In order to lay out the customer journey , I will combine   ethnographic research methods such as observation and ethnographic   interviews with secondary research sources such as our consulting firm- internal knowledge and insights from the client . Next , I will add the relevant   stakeholders that are involved in the process steps and lay out the various   functional jobs to be done and emotional needs the customer has along   the customer journey . Based on first insights , I will also complement the   initial customer pain points we have identified along the journey in order to   discuss them with managers and start a discussion on the four questions   " What is ? " , " What if ? " , " What wows ? " and " What works ? " . 

 However , the visualization does not stop there . Throughout the whole   process , visualization is key in order to present ideas , share insights and   develop solutions . Especially in the phases " What if ? " and " What wows ? " ,   visualization is essential in order to drive the solution finding process . I use   visualization in brainstorming sessions with visual props such as nudge   cards and stickers to cluster and rate ideas . In concept development ,   sketching is crucial to present initial ideas so that other participants   understand one 's thinking and can add valuable input to the initial ideas . In   later stages , very simple prototyping can enhance product development   with rapid learning and save costs . Rather than investing heavily in   expensive " real " prototypes , we often use mock - ups in order to see how   potential users react to the idea . This very tangible visualization has   proofed to be a very valuable part of every development process . 

 Insight & Approach 

 Visualization is a crucial part throughout the whole design thinking process .   It enables to present insights and ideas in a tangible way , fosters individual   and collaborative creativity and enhances cooperation among individuals . I   have learned that it is important to give enough freedom and flexibility in   the process . Very often , I have observed that people that are not familiar   with this process are rushing towards solutions and try to be as efficient as   possible . However , in order to solve the wicked problems that are best   suited for design thinking , it is important to give enough freedom and bring   together different perspectives from different backgrounds . Only then it is   possible to make use of the tools such as visualization among others . Even   though the visualization does not have to be perfect , it is important to keep   in mind that the visualization is only a representation of the whole   underlying process . Therefore , any shortcuts in the analysis or problem   solving will be seen in insufficient visual representations . 

 Moreover , it is useful to use templates and provide structures in order to   provide some guidance to the individuals involved in the process .   Otherwise , people might feel lost and overwhelmed in the process ,   especially when they are not familiar with the methodology and tools . By   using templates and structures , the flexibility and creativity can also be   channeled in a more efficient manner which takes the realities in the   business world regarding responsibilities and time pressure into account . 

 In a nutshell , I can confidently say , that using design thinking and   especially visualization is very helpful for dealing with senior executives   and is not limited to the obvious " creative roles " within the company .   Visualization helps executives to grasp crucial information in short time ,   understand and empathize with users and customers which grounds their   thinking and enables them to combine their " macro " and strategic thinking   with the everyday life of customers and their hidden needs for better   products and services . 

 I would always use visualization as a key pillar for every design thinking   process and also in other spheres . It is important to keep in mind that the   chosen visualization tool has to fit the purpose of task and the stage in the   process . Whereas in initial phases , it is important to share ideas and get a   shared understanding , visualization in later stages has to support the   validation of initial solutions and feed the feedback loop for more   sophisticated solutions .
### Output: 