Reflection – Visualisation 

 Challenge 

 I am part of a new team within my organisation which is tasked with fostering innovation and   bringing different thinking to the way we do business and interact with our clients .   I lead a   particular initiative that is focused on one of our key industry sectors .   We have a long history in this   sector and have a strong reputation for being solid service providers .   Our challenge however is that   we are not known for our innovation and clients are not choosing us to work alongside them as they   navigate their way in this VUCA ( volatile , uncertain , complex and ambiguous ) world .   As a result , our   core business is being eroded . 

 The purpose of the initiative I lead is to completely reframe the way we interact with our clients in   this chosen sector and position us as a thought leader so that we can evolve our business and   remain relevant to our client base .   The project scope includes the creation of a small , dedicated   team of 5 - 6 people who will work on the development and implementation of a web - based insights   and collaboration platform for our clients and selected staff to join and participate in .   The platform   will be industry - focused and curated to client needs and interests .   It will also foster better   collaboration across the community , fuelling more innovation .   Future features of the platform may   also include a knowledge and training portal , subject to client feedback . 

 In addition to engaging with clients on the scope of this project , substantial internal communications   are also required with executive management , functional leads and various marketing /   communications teams .   The initial scope of work is for 6 months , including monthly check - ins with a   steering committee and executive leaders . 

 Selection 

 Because the concept is so revolutionary for our business , people are having trouble grasping what   we are talking about .   Being able to visualise what we are creating to get a sense of the ‘ look and   feel ’ is critical to getting buy - in both internally as well as with clients .   So , I have selected   visualisation as the tool to examine for this reflection . 

 Application 

 While the concept of a web - based insights and collaboration platform may be new to my   organisation and target industry , it is not a new concept elsewhere .   We have drawn on previous   experience of my team members in creating similar on - line platforms and communities to help us   create this prototype .   We decided not to create our own bespoke tool due to time , cost and   resourcing constraints .   Instead , we reviewed a number of off - the - shelf products against the   functionality that we were looking for and selected one for the purposes of the ‘ beta ’ development . 

 The product we selected is extremely cost - effective and works on a monthly subscription model ,   with a free access period for new users .   It also has a number of different subscription packages that   offer different levels of functionality .   The functionality that we require is already in - built and it is a   simple matter to configure the system and apply branding characteristics to it to give it the ‘ look and   feel ’ that we want .   We were able to set up the beta version ( as described below ) within one day . 

 During the free trial period , we created the prototype version for desktop and mobile access ,   generated and uploaded ‘ dummy ’ content , invited a small number of users into the community and   encouraged some correspondence and activity to demonstrate how the tool can be used .   We also   asked all users to download the app - based version on to their phones so that they could familiarise 

 themselves with the mobile functionality .   The ‘ beta ’ version we created was very similar to what we   proposed for the full version and we were able to share it with key internal decision - makers as well   as with early adopter clients to help illustrate the concepts that we were trying to explain . 

 Once the beta version was created , we wanted to commence a ‘ listening tour ’ with key clients who   we had identified that we would like to have as early adopters .   Key to success however , was to have   compelling content uploaded to the site to ensure that people were captivated enough to want to   come on the journey with us and to return to the site repeatedly .   We engaged a dedicated content   creator / copywriter to help us build out the site over the period of a few weeks to ensure that we   had sufficient interesting content presented in a number of different formats ( articles , interviews ,   videos , podcasts etc ) . 

 Once that was completed , we conducted a series of one - on - one meetings with key client   representatives over a period of about a month , showed them the tool , invited them into the beta   version and encouraged them to download the app .   We were then able to gain direct feedback and   insights ( data ) from users about how they used the tool , which features they valued and what else   they would like to be able to do / see .   This information was critical in helping us refine the design of   the full version . 

 During the listening tour , the free trial period elapsed and for a period of time , our beta version ’s   features were diminished to a basic level ( the free trial included a number of premium features ) .    There was a noticeable difference in the features ( value ) that we were able to demonstrate so we   readily upgraded our subscription to ensure that we could give candidate users the full experience   during this testing phase . 

 Insight & Approach 

 Through visualisation , we were able to help people understand our proposal and answer many ,   many questions that people had about the ‘ look and feel ’ of the site , how the site works , the ease   with which it was able to be created and integrated with other tools , what sort of content it would   have and so forth .   We were able to allay many concerns and help people focus on the opportunity . 

 The first hurdles that had to be overcome were internal , to obtain funding and approval to develop   the proposal in the first place .   Prior to having developed the visualisation , conversations were   stalling and getting caught up in details .   Once we demonstrated the beta version , executive leaders   were won over and quickly gave approval to continue with the project . 

 The client meetings we had were also enhanced significantly by having a prototype available to   show .   Because this project is so unexpected from my organisation , people needed to see it with   their own eyes to understand what we were proposing and once they did , the excitement from   clients was palpable .   They were quickly able to get a sense of the value that we were trying to   create for them and were able to give richer feedback to help us refine the concept . 

 One key observation / learning from this experience was the importance of having the beta version   as close to the real version as possible in terms of functionality and content .   First impressions do   count and we were aware that , for some clients , we may only have one opportunity to create   excitement .   It was therefore critical that we maintain the full level of functionality throughout the   trial and development period by taking out premium subscriptions . 

 It was also striking how visualisation was able to break through the internal impasses and allow   people to quickly understand the vision and make decisions to proceed .   This was critical to the   project ’s progression . 

 This case study has clearly demonstrated to me the value of visualisation as a communication tool in   the design thinking process .   It is a tool that I will readily use again . 


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 – Visualisation 

 Challenge 

 I am part of a new team within my organisation which is tasked with fostering innovation and   bringing different thinking to the way we do business and interact with our clients .   I lead a   particular initiative that is focused on one of our key industry sectors .   We have a long history in this   sector and have a strong reputation for being solid service providers .   Our challenge however is that   we are not known for our innovation and clients are not choosing us to work alongside them as they   navigate their way in this VUCA ( volatile , uncertain , complex and ambiguous ) world .   As a result , our   core business is being eroded . 

 The purpose of the initiative I lead is to completely reframe the way we interact with our clients in   this chosen sector and position us as a thought leader so that we can evolve our business and   remain relevant to our client base .   The project scope includes the creation of a small , dedicated   team of 5 - 6 people who will work on the development and implementation of a web - based insights   and collaboration platform for our clients and selected staff to join and participate in .   The platform   will be industry - focused and curated to client needs and interests .   It will also foster better   collaboration across the community , fuelling more innovation .   Future features of the platform may   also include a knowledge and training portal , subject to client feedback . 

 In addition to engaging with clients on the scope of this project , substantial internal communications   are also required with executive management , functional leads and various marketing /   communications teams .   The initial scope of work is for 6 months , including monthly check - ins with a   steering committee and executive leaders . 

 Selection 

 Because the concept is so revolutionary for our business , people are having trouble grasping what   we are talking about .   Being able to visualise what we are creating to get a sense of the ‘ look and   feel ’ is critical to getting buy - in both internally as well as with clients .   So , I have selected   visualisation as the tool to examine for this reflection . 

 Application 

 While the concept of a web - based insights and collaboration platform may be new to my   organisation and target industry , it is not a new concept elsewhere .   We have drawn on previous   experience of my team members in creating similar on - line platforms and communities to help us   create this prototype .   We decided not to create our own bespoke tool due to time , cost and   resourcing constraints .   Instead , we reviewed a number of off - the - shelf products against the   functionality that we were looking for and selected one for the purposes of the ‘ beta ’ development . 

 The product we selected is extremely cost - effective and works on a monthly subscription model ,   with a free access period for new users .   It also has a number of different subscription packages that   offer different levels of functionality .   The functionality that we require is already in - built and it is a   simple matter to configure the system and apply branding characteristics to it to give it the ‘ look and   feel ’ that we want .   We were able to set up the beta version ( as described below ) within one day . 

 During the free trial period , we created the prototype version for desktop and mobile access ,   generated and uploaded ‘ dummy ’ content , invited a small number of users into the community and   encouraged some correspondence and activity to demonstrate how the tool can be used .   We also   asked all users to download the app - based version on to their phones so that they could familiarise 

 themselves with the mobile functionality .   The ‘ beta ’ version we created was very similar to what we   proposed for the full version and we were able to share it with key internal decision - makers as well   as with early adopter clients to help illustrate the concepts that we were trying to explain . 

 Once the beta version was created , we wanted to commence a ‘ listening tour ’ with key clients who   we had identified that we would like to have as early adopters .   Key to success however , was to have   compelling content uploaded to the site to ensure that people were captivated enough to want to   come on the journey with us and to return to the site repeatedly .   We engaged a dedicated content   creator / copywriter to help us build out the site over the period of a few weeks to ensure that we   had sufficient interesting content presented in a number of different formats ( articles , interviews ,   videos , podcasts etc ) . 

 Once that was completed , we conducted a series of one - on - one meetings with key client   representatives over a period of about a month , showed them the tool , invited them into the beta   version and encouraged them to download the app .   We were then able to gain direct feedback and   insights ( data ) from users about how they used the tool , which features they valued and what else   they would like to be able to do / see .   This information was critical in helping us refine the design of   the full version . 

 During the listening tour , the free trial period elapsed and for a period of time , our beta version ’s   features were diminished to a basic level ( the free trial included a number of premium features ) .    There was a noticeable difference in the features ( value ) that we were able to demonstrate so we   readily upgraded our subscription to ensure that we could give candidate users the full experience   during this testing phase . 

 Insight & Approach 

 Through visualisation , we were able to help people understand our proposal and answer many ,   many questions that people had about the ‘ look and feel ’ of the site , how the site works , the ease   with which it was able to be created and integrated with other tools , what sort of content it would   have and so forth .   We were able to allay many concerns and help people focus on the opportunity . 

 The first hurdles that had to be overcome were internal , to obtain funding and approval to develop   the proposal in the first place .   Prior to having developed the visualisation , conversations were   stalling and getting caught up in details .   Once we demonstrated the beta version , executive leaders   were won over and quickly gave approval to continue with the project . 

 The client meetings we had were also enhanced significantly by having a prototype available to   show .   Because this project is so unexpected from my organisation , people needed to see it with   their own eyes to understand what we were proposing and once they did , the excitement from   clients was palpable .   They were quickly able to get a sense of the value that we were trying to   create for them and were able to give richer feedback to help us refine the concept . 

 One key observation / learning from this experience was the importance of having the beta version   as close to the real version as possible in terms of functionality and content .   First impressions do   count and we were aware that , for some clients , we may only have one opportunity to create   excitement .   It was therefore critical that we maintain the full level of functionality throughout the   trial and development period by taking out premium subscriptions . 

 It was also striking how visualisation was able to break through the internal impasses and allow   people to quickly understand the vision and make decisions to proceed .   This was critical to the   project ’s progression . 

 This case study has clearly demonstrated to me the value of visualisation as a communication tool in   the design thinking process .   It is a tool that I will readily use again .
### Output: 