Serendipitydoo... The Scrawlings of Adrian Chong

Affinity Diagraming

Adrian — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:38:21 +0000

Allows for a collaborative effort in sorting and clustering like items to reveal larger patterns in information.

Process
1. Record each data point on a sticky note
2. Paste on a wall
3. Look for related data and begin repositioning like items together
4. Label the larger groups that become apparent

Mind Map

Adrian — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:32:57 +0000

A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged around a central key word or idea. Mind maps are used to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas, and as an aid in study, organization, problem solving, decision making, and writing.

The elements of a given mind map are arranged intuitively according to the importance of the concepts, and are classified into groupings, branches, or areas, with the goal of representing semantic or other connections between portions of information. Mind maps may also aid recall of existing memories.

By presenting ideas in a radial, graphical, non-linear manner, mind maps encourage a brainstorming approach to planning and organizational tasks. Though the branches of a mindmap represent hierarchical tree structures, their radial arrangement disrupts the prioritizing of concepts typically associated with hierarchies presented with more linear visual cues. This orientation towards brainstorming encourages users to enumerate and connect concepts without a tendency to begin within a particular conceptual framework.

The mind map can be contrasted with the similar idea of concept mapping. The former is based on radial hierarchies and tree structures denoting relationships with a central governing concept, whereas concept maps are based on connections between concepts in more diverse patterns. (From Wiki)

Lifecycle & Impact Maps

Adrian — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:23:24 +0000

A ‘Life Cycle Assessment’('LCA’, also known as ‘life cycle analysis’, ‘ecobalance’, and ‘cradle-to-grave analysis’) is the investigation and valuation of the environmental impacts of a given product or service caused or necessitated by its existence. (wiki)

We can use tools to map the journey of how a new design fits within a larger system of its production, use and disposal. Thus carefully monitoring its impact at each stage in the the manufacturing, distribution, and waste generation of the product. Ideally we can utilize waste in the system as food for another part of the product’s system or another system.

Concept Model

Adrian — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:41:41 +0000

Concept models help establish common vocabulary and an overview of the landscape of a topic at hand. This can be done early to sensemake and done again later to help define specifics. A process might involve placing broad topics on a wall and determining relationships between each item. Be careful of hierarchy. Trying to fit relationships between higher and lower items can be a futile exercise. It might require some clustering of like items to get the right hierarchical relationship.

Porter five forces analysis

Adrian — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:28:27 +0000

Helps to understand 5 forces that determine the competitive intensity and attractiveness of the market. Attractiveness relates to industry profitability. An industry that would be unattractive would have a combination of forces that drive down overall profitability.

This is a qualitative evaluation of the firm’s strategic position.

3 forces from horizontal competition
-Threat of substitute products
-threat of established rivals
-threat of new entrants

2 forces from vertical competition
-the bargaining power of suppliers
-the bargaining power of customers

This model is meant to be used at an industry level not for a industry group or sector.

5 C’s Analysis

Adrian — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:19:16 +0000

This analysis allows industry to understand its external and internal situation. This includes looking at the customer, the market climate and environment, the company’s capabilities, any partnerships that are required to be successful, as well as the macro-environment the company is situated in.

Trend maps

Adrian — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:06:14 +0000

Broader in context than an ERA analysis. Trend maps provide an overview of trends across culture, business, technology, and environment. This can be loosely framed by past/present/future

ERA Analysis

Adrian — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:59:36 +0000

An ERA analysis provides an overall look at a client’s industry. It can communicate areas of growth, consumer and market changes, and direction for future opportunities given current market climates. Simply put an ERA analysis looks at the industry’s past, present, and speculative future.

STEEP analysis

Adrian — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:25:24 +0000

Steep analysis allows people to map strategic plans to Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, and Political impacts. Instead of blindly releasing a new product or service, we can think through how it may affect these areas. The idea is to create growth and profits while having positive impact in the STEEP arenas.

Steep should be used if there are:
Times of uncertainty
Times of information overload
Times of disorganization

Learn more about STEEP analysis

The Value Triangle: A model for personal alignment

Adrian — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:41:14 +0000

Self-reflection is a key part to self actualization. By understanding the values that are strongest to you, you can map that model to your work, life, and environment. For example key values could be Money/Security, Health, and Knowledge/Wisdom. If you work in a destructive environment that gives you a lot of stress where you don’t learn much but it pays the bills, you’re only feeding one of your 3 key values. We all adapt our triangles in different ways but be aware if you do it for too long and none of your values are being met, the affects can only be adverse.