Agenda
01 | |
02 | Problem Overview & Breakdown |
03 | Design Thinking Framework |
04 | Gathering Research Data |
05 | Analyze Data & Define Problem |
06 | Ideation |
07 | Prototype & Testing |
08 | Reflections |
09 | Conclusion |
Problem
Overview
CONTEXT & GOAL
- Current State -
Programs like game design, interaction design, and illustration operate within silos, limiting collaboration.
- Existing Channels -
While clubs and events provide collaboration avenues, they fall short of meeting the growing demand for cross-discipline engagement.
- The chosen Challenge -
Limited opportunities for effective collaboration among diverse programs.
Problem
Overview
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
- Impact on Students -
Deprivation of fresh ideas, limited networking, misalignment in objectives, and a lack of exposure to diverse perspectives.
- Personal Impact -
My teammates and I have experienced the challenge firsthand while working on this project, emphasizing its universality.
- Real-World Relevance -
Cross-discipline collaboration mirrors professional work environments, enhancing students' readiness for future careers.
Problem Breakdown
- Cross-program collaboration at Sheridan College is complex, requiring a systematic approach to understand its intricacies, root causes, and potential consequences. Such a systemic problem demands a tool that captures its dynamic nature.
- Using Impact Gaps Canvas to better understand the issue:
- Focus on Impacts: The Impact Gaps Canvas highlights system-wide impacts, pinpointing obstacles in Sheridan College’s collaboration efforts.
- Flexibility and Precision: Impact Gaps Canvas excels in nuanced exploration, identifying gaps unlike Fishbone Diagrams or Process Maps designed for sequential processes.
- Holistic Understanding: Unlike isolated causes targeted by Fishbone Diagrams, the Impact Gaps Canvas considers consequences and missing pieces for a comprehensive view.
- Design Thinking Alignment: Aligned with design thinking principles, the canvas prioritizes empathy, problem definition, and a human-centered perspective—essential for addressing cross-discipline collaboration challenges in education.
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Insights gained
Context and Root Causes
- Key Elements Uncovered: Limited funding, insufficient communication, participant commitment issues, timing clashes, and challenges in creating a realistic collaborative environment.
Consequences and Benefits
- Consequences: Deprivation of fresh ideas, misalignment in objectives, and barriers like social anxiety.
- Benefits: Mimicking real-world work environments, leading to reduced workloads, increased productivity, and a rich learning experience for students.
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The Process
Empathize
Define
Ideate
Prototype
Test
- Observations
- Interviews
- Online Ethnography
- Affinity Map
- POV Statement
- HMW Qs
- Divergent Thinking
- Convergent Thinking
- Prototype planning board
- Low Fidelity prototype
- Feasibility
- Viability
- Desirability
- Integrity
Human-centered Approach
Why Design Thinking?
- Iterative and Flexible nature accommodates the dynamic problem, allowing continuous refinement, unlike the rigid structure of Six Sigma which is more suitable for existent processes.
- Collaborative Ideation - Foster diverse perspectives, aligning with the goal of cross-discipline collaboration, in contrast to the Four Sights model where each team member take on an isolated function/role.
- The Comprehensive Framework provides a holistic approach to understanding and solving the multifaceted issue.
- Empathize phase provide more nuance and detailed insights into students’ needs
- Data-Driven Integrates seamlessly with the call for extensive data collection, ensuring evidence-based decision-making.
=> Design thinking Process ensures solutions are empathetic to the needs of students and stakeholders in cross-program collaboration.
Gathering More Data
Subjectivity and the Need for Data:
- Collective findings from the impact gap are still subjective, requiring diverse input for a comprehensive understanding.
- Call for Data Collection
Importance of Diverse Perspectives:
- Diverse Perspectives are needed - Insights must be gained from students at Sheridan and other institutions, as well as input from professors and academic advisors. For example: Other institutions may have successfully facilitated cross-discipline events and competitions.
- Extensive data collection is crucial for achieving clarity and amplifying the voices of those impacted.
Data-driven empathy forms the bedrock of effective problem-solving, guiding the design thinking team towards human-centered solutions.
Data Obtained from Collaborative Inquiries
Online ethnography
- Significant search volume for "cross-sectoral collaboration," indicating a keen interest in understanding and implementing collaboration across sectors.
- Diverse Collaboration-related Query Topics, including definitions of collaborative programs, cross-organizational collaboration, planning practices, etc.
- Practical Application Focus with queries on how to collaborate with partners, stakeholders, and patients, emphasizing a hands-on approach to collaboration.
- Temporal and Spatial Considerations. Queries related to "when" and "where" highlight users' consideration of the contextual nuances and timing of collaborative efforts.
- Benefits of Cross-Functional Teams, demonstrating a curiosity about the advantages of collaboration across different organizational functions.
- Organizational Collaboration Interest, understanding the role of organizations, exemplified by the query on the World Health Organization collaborating center.
Most Googled Questions
Potential Actions
Online ethnography
- Craft content addressing fundamental collaborative concepts, practical collaboration guidance, and the benefits of cross-functional teams.
- Develop resources offering practical tips for collaborating in specific scenarios, including with partners and stakeholders.
- Create content exploring the role of renowned organizations, like the World Health Organization, in collaborative initiatives.
Implications
- There is a widespread interest in understanding and implementing collaboration, particularly in cross-sectoral and organizational contexts.
- Users are seeking practical guidance on how to collaborate in specific scenarios (e.g. with partners and stakeholders, during planning processes, etc.)
- Users seek insights into the benefits of collaboration, emphasizing a desire for tangible outcomes from collaborative efforts.
analyzing data
Using affinity map & discovering 4 CATEGORIES:
Aspect 1. What motivates students to seek cross-discipline collaboration?
Aspect 2. How have students benefited from past Interdisciplinary Teams?
Aspect 3. What Prevents Cross-Functional Team Formation?
Aspect 4. What breaks an already-formed interdisciplinary team
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what motivates students:
- Professional Enrichment by gaining diverse perspectives.
- Collaborative Learning fosters teamwork and makes progress through mutual learning.
- Program of Interest Collaborate with peers from an interesting or relevant program.
- Credit and Grades are the best academic incentives for students
- Strategic Co-operation Planning or designing suitable cooperation plans for effective collaboration.
- Aligned Majors specifically collaboration with peers in majors of shared interest.
- Peer Mentoring and Social Connection for friendship and team formation.
- Cross-Disciplinary Courses facilitated diverse collaboration
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Experienced benefits from past collaboration:
- Skill Enrichment: Students gain new skills and knowledge not typically taught in their programs.
- Networking: Collaboration expands their social and professional networks, fostering connections that can be beneficial in the future.
- Exposure to Different Perspectives: Working with individuals from various programs leads to diverse viewpoints and innovative problem-solving.
- Real-World Application: Practical experience mirrors industry settings and prepares students for professional careers.
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what prevents cross-functional team formation:
- Communication Barriers: Students from different programs may not share a common vocabulary, leading to misunderstandings and communication difficulties.
- Different Workflow: Divergent working styles and approaches to problem-solving can hinder collaboration and cause conflicts.
- Scheduling Conflicts: Varying schedules due to different programs, schools, or even countries make it challenging to coordinate meetings and tasks.
- Social Anxiety: Reluctant to reach out to peers from other programs due to social anxiety or fear of overstimulation.
- Project Desirability: Not all students see the value in cross-program collaboration, especially if the project doesn't align with their interests.
- Not Informed of cross-program events, ideas, opportunities
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what breaks a newly formed team:
- Creative Differences: When team members have disparate visions and goals for a project, it can lead to conflicts and dissatisfaction.
- Communication Breakdown: Poor communication can erode collaboration and lead to misunderstandings, disputes, and project breakdowns.
- Inadequate Planning: Lack of clear project planning or insufficient understanding of the scope of work can result in unmet expectations and disappointment.
- Pre-Collaborative Familiarity: Lack of team dynamics due to unfamiliarity amongst members and their working styles (mismatched)
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Facilitate the ideation sessions:
Divergent Thinking Activities
- Worst Idea Possible
- As the name suggested, I chose this because it encourages a playful and open environment, removing inhibitions (judgments or burdens of “getting it right”) and promoting creativity
- Analogies
- Stimulates unconventional thinking by drawing parallels between seemingly unrelated concepts, providing a unique perspective that can inspire innovative solutions
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In retrospects
Experience
We had a blast generating absurd and terrible ideas. It was surprisingly liberating to step away from conventional thinking and let our creativity run wild.
The humor and derangement in the room made the atmosphere more relaxed, breaking down any initial awkward tension among teammates
A great reminder - UNCONVENTIONAL THINKING can lead to innovative solutions
Interestingly, amidst the hilariously bad ideas, some hidden gems emerged – ideas that, when stripped of their extreme nature, actually held valuable insights.
Insights on what not to do:
Though not “practical ideas”, we learned In terms of what not to do in facilitating a cross-program session: avoiding coercion and judgment proved crucial. Creating a safe space for everyone to contribute without fear of criticism was key. The session taught us that even the most seemingly terrible ideas can spark meaningful discussions and contribute to the creative process.
Divergent thinking
WORST IDEAS POSSIBLE!!!
Experience
Connected seemingly unrelated concepts, generating a plethora of innovative ideas.
The process not only sparked excitement but also provided a visual representation that resonated well. Witnessing the analogies take shape and make sense to everyone was not only fun but also instilled a sense of understanding and inspiration. This teaches us the power of unexpected connections in ideation.
Can't wait to see how these unique connections evolve into impactful solutions for our project!
In retrospects
Divergent thinking
P/s: My favorite analogy was Pokemon Go (but go catch a new teammate ^0^)//
= ANALOGIES =
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Facilitate the ideation sessions:
ConvergentThinking Activities
- Impact/Effort Matrix
- A decision-making tool to help prioritize tasks based on the effort required and the impact they'll have on my goals.
- The matrix categorizes tasks into four quadrants: minimal-effort and low-impact, maximum-effort and low-impact, high-impact and minimum-effort, and high-impact and maximum-effort.
- It maximizes efficiency, aligns goals, and facilitates decision-making by enabling my team to focus on high-impact, low-effort tasks for optimal results
- Bullseye
- Using concentric circles to prioritize ideas based on feasibility and impact.
- It helps in efficient resource allocation, decision-making, and strategic planning by focusing on ideas that strike the right balance between practicality and innovation
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IMPACT/EFFORT MATRIX
Can you tell the anime from these clues?
Bullseye
REFLECTIONS - WHAT WENT RIGHT or WRONG?
1. As I recall on the Bullseye activity, hesitations arose regarding the cross-program collaboration solution. The main ideas, from closest to furthest, reveal our struggle to pinpoint the most effective approach:
- UberEats for other programs raised concerns due to adaptability, or practicality.
- Tinder-like casual collaboration sparks questions about professionalism and effectiveness.
- Uber for skills faces reservations on scalability.
- Pokemon GO for partners raises uncertainty on gamification's relevance.
- Weekly forced discussions express concerns about artificiality.
- Leadership changes weekly pose sustainability doubts.
2. Our team grappled with the challenge of finding a balance between creativity and practicality, aiming for an approach that fosters genuine cross-program collaboration while addressing potential drawbacks and ensuring long-term viability.
3. The difficulty lies in navigating uncharted territory, and our hesitations reflect the complexity of the task at hand.
Solution Concept
A Fusion of Pokemon GO and UberSkills
How It Works
Concept Overview
- Combine the engaging gamification elements of Pokemon GO with the skill-sharing/skill-delivering platform of UberSkills.
- Students embark on a virtual quest, similar to Pokemon GO, where they seek collaboration opportunities with peers from other programs.
- Each student creates a virtual avatar representing their skills and collaboration interests.
- Avatars navigate a virtual campus, encountering "collaboration hotspots" indicating areas with high demand for specific skills.
- Students can connect, collaborate, and earn virtual rewards as they collectively contribute to projects.
Impacts
Benefits & Impact
- Fosters a dynamic and inclusive environment, breaking down program silos.
- Develops a sense of community and shared accomplishment among students.
- Prepares students for real-world interdisciplinary teamwork and diverse project experiences.
Advantages
- Gamification enhances engagement and makes collaboration more appealing.
- UberSkills integration ensures a practical and focused approach to skill-sharing.
- Virtual rewards and achievements motivate students to actively participate in cross-program collaboration.
Iterative Prototyping for Collaborative Expedition
- Why Low-Fidelity?
- Cost-Effective: Low-fidelity prototypes are quicker and more cost-effective to produce, allowing for rapid iterations.
- Easy Iteration: Changes can be implemented swiftly based on user feedback, promoting a more adaptable development process.
- Focus on Concept: Prioritizes testing the core concept and usability, avoiding unnecessary details that can distract from the main idea.
- Prototyping Steps:
- Paper Prototypes: Begin with sketches and paper-based representations of the virtual campus, avatars, and collaboration hotspots.
- Digital Wireframes: Transition to digital wireframes to illustrate basic functionality and user flow.
- Interactive Mockups: Develop clickable prototypes for user testing, simulating the virtual collaboration experience.
Prototyping and Testing
Prototyping and Testing
The
prototype
Key Features to Capture:
- Avatar creation and customization.
- Virtual navigation within the campus environment.
- Skill tagging and matching algorithms.
- Initial communication channels for collaboration initiation.
low-fidelity prototype
Testing
Approach
- Testing Approach
- Engage a diverse group of students from different programs in the low-fidelity prototype.
- Gather qualitative feedback on user experience, engagement levels, and perceived benefits.
- Analyze user interactions and identify pain points in the collaboration process.
- Collaborate with the IT department to assess the technical feasibility of the platform, addressing scalability and integration concerns.
- User Adoption Pilot: If first testing is positive - Launch a small-scale pilot (pop-up activities) to measure user adoption, engagement, and collaboration success on the platform.
Testing
- Metrics for Decision Making:
- Feasibility:
- Technical feasibility - assess the scalability and integration capabilities.
- Operational feasibility - evaluate the ease of use and maintenance.
- Viability:
- Cost implications and budget alignment.
- Alignment with institutional goals and support.
- Desirability:
- User satisfaction and engagement levels.
- Continued interest and participation over time.
- Integrity:
- Ethical considerations and privacy safeguards.
- Ensuring the platform aligns with educational standards and policies.
- Decision Criteria:
- A positive balance of feasibility, viability, desirability, and integrity.
- Strong user endorsement and a demonstrated impact on cross-program collaboration.
- Identification and resolution of critical issues during testing.
metrics
Successes and Learnings
Learnings
What Went Well
- Engaging and enjoyable ideation session with a plethora of unconventional ideas.
- Deepened understanding of empathy in design thinking, emphasizing the human-centric approach.
- Mastery and application of tools for both divergent and convergent thinking.
- Importance of gathering more data for meaningful pattern recognition.
- Acknowledgment of moments of silence as opportunities for reflection and idea consolidation.
- Recognition of the need for diverse collaboration initiatives to overcome dominant voices and encourage active participation.
"Big thanks for diving into my creative journey with me! Your curiosity is the magic that makes it all worthwhile. Stay boldly creative, and may your ideas be as boundless as the universe! 🚀✨"