Mind Mapping – In Design Thinking for Innovation
The tool “mind mapping” is used
to structure the thought process while ideating and gaining common
understanding of the problem among the stakeholders. Mind mapping approach is
used to work out the solution to the problem in a collaborative way. This
approach within team, which might be any industry is used to apply technical
innovation as well as simple process modification in product development. I
used the mind mapping with different lines and colors along with sticky notes
to define the process flow, scope, key elements and building relationships
between the elements. This is was useful in identifying the pain points and
opportunities for improvement and finding solution.
Application
Mind mapping technique is used to
focus on the main idea and solution to the problem.
To start with, the main theme is drawn
in the central of the board, which radiates into various branches. The Branches
comprises of key words on its associated line.
The branches formed a connected
nodal structure. For this, we used existing document like standard operating
procedures and work instructions. If there were some missing elements then conduct
interviews with one or more stakeholders and SMEs to gain clarity.
A big glass board, black board or
wall if available can be used to draw the mind map with different colors and
sticky notes to indicate main elements. The map should be simple to visualize
and described the high-level process flow with different colored line for
different stakeholders.
For this activity, divide the
team into groups of 3-4 participants in each representing an area of interest
in the organization or different aspect of the work process. Once the central
theme was drawn, each team then will work into different branches of the
process. The groups may use different colors to branch out and used the sticky
notes to make comments. The individual group worked around with key questions
like 1. What are the key steps missing/inappropriate in the process? 2. How
would you improve the current process steps by introducing technology or
eliminating/adding process step? 3. How the relationship between different
elements of the process can be improved and simplified?
The group can start with
approximately 15 minutes to discuss the questions. The next step would be 15
minutes of interviewing the SME to gain more clarity. After that, each group will
get 60 minutes to define the process and select which problem statement.
Each group will be asked to
phrase their problem statement they identified and present before me with a 15
minutes discussion. The groups then proceeded to brainstorm on the solution
with an approximate time limit of 60 minutes. Each group at the end of the
session will present their ideas in 15 minutes.
Next day, a power point
presentation to entire group from the ideas and insight collected. The purpose
of the presentation is to discuss, gain common understanding and to agree as a
group.
Author: Mohamed Irfan
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