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Reflection

Fundamentally I agree with the problem solving process. Once we have a problem to solve, each step (acceptance, analysis, definition, ideation, selection, implementation and evaluation) is a necessary path to success. If I were to offer an improvement to the process I’d add a layer called “Revisit” or “Reflect” that’s somewhat akin to the iterative step in that it invites you to take a look back to the analysis and definition stages during implementation and evaluation. The reason I’d suggest this “Reflection” is that during implementation and later stages you might encounter barriers, obstacles, errors or omissions that may well be mitigated by something you set aside during analysis and definition that might well provide a better path forward. In other words, tweaking ideation and later stages through iteration may not suffice and a better path forward to success may be had in something tangential that was set aside earlier.

Each stage has its place but if there was a “weak” one in my mind I’d probably simplify “acceptance” because, whether you want to tackle a problem or have to tackle a problem you do accept it on some level. Enthusiasm for said task will ebb and flow but because you’re tackling the problem, you have accepted it. Just take pride in your work, whether you like it or not. Especially if you’re part of a team. Your lack of interest in this project shouldn’t be allowed to drag the project/team/business down.

As for mandatory methods and techniques to bring to bear at each stage, I’d say “take pride in your work” and add a “willingness to learn”. Whether or not you like, or are good/bad, at a stage just make sure you do it to the best of your ability. And maybe in the process you learn something – particularly in areas you suck. Because you know where you suck so accept that shortcoming and vow to learn here so you’re better there.

“And that’s all I have to say about that.” - Forrest Gump

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Conceptualize

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Evaluation

In applying the benchmarks for evaluating reflection, I’d say our primary objective, communication, has been achieved as measured by the revisions we’ve made to how parking is understood. Throughout the program I think we’ve known improvements are a given and we’ve implemented them as they’ve come to light. Relatively speaking we haven’t spent much time on the project so regular revisions have come as no surprise. In terms of soliciting feedback (outside of class), that’s been the weakest aspect of our journey. Time is a factor when work is added in. It has been interesting to think of where we started on the subject and how it has evolved - even it’s departures - only to return to the original tenets of the idea.

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Business Model Canvas

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Implementation

Our project will be implemented by following up on the decided-upon ideas and transform them into actionable realities. No more daydreaming now, Dorothy. I see this as us finalizing the key tasks together in a group discussion and then dividing them among us to tackle in parallel in order to maximize efficiency. In terms of pitching “my” version of the implementation I don’t think that will be a formal activity nor will it require blind enthusiasm to sway team members. I think each of us are capable of recognizing a solid idea (or a plan for implementation) and quickly agree to work in that direction – or course correct if needed. If a plan of action “makes sense” empirically we adopt it and move on. In terms of communicating the implementation it’s going to be a combination of the written word, statistics and visual aides to convey benefits of our system. Ideally, it would be great to have a physical prototype.

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Selection

Idea Potpourri was the unanimous method by which our group selected the ideas to address the problem. Because there are a number of stakeholders (commuters, business owners and municipalities) it made sense to combine concerns into a solution that serves these stakeholders. If we can devise a solution that improves the relationship between the stakeholders I think we’re on to something. In terms of consensus building it was a combination of ongoing discussion, hearing ideas and either pulling the thread for a solution or poking holes by asking who the idea benefits or harms. While it would be ideal to implement our program on a city-wide basis all at once the reality is we need to be able to roll it out incrementally.

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Choosing a Solution

What criteria did you use to select the solution?

Potpourri

How do the pragmatic and logistical concerns around implementation affect theselection of your solution?

Government

may be some regulation for types of communication to ensure accessibility for all types of commuters, eg. mobile vs. offline

Need to consider the revenue stream generate by current metering enforcement, how can we integrate into that to ensure that is not cut off or create new revenue streams

How do you deal with compromises and coming to a consensus regarding the solution decision?

    -listening to each others’ reasoning as to why they favor one solution over another / how to combine

-weigh different options presented

-we agreed on the criteria to use to measure the solution against

Document your activities in a new post in your process journal.

Criteria:

+change city planning to solve for traffic flow and parking

+alleviate stress and anxiety for commuters in cities

+provide businesses a way to communicate parking for their patrons

+communication to the drivers who are parking in urban cities       

        Method Used:

(1) Idea Potpourri

Take the best parts of several ideas and rework them to form a new composite idea

(2) Take a Poll

Seek outside help and perspective

-In class discussion, Clear parking instructions/symbols along with the Active colored curbs were the most popular among the class

Solutions combined:

Clear parking instructions/ symbols

Google maps integration

Active colored curbs

Make publicly available information about street / city parking areas: cost/time/availability

Key features:

Dynamic communication through lighting and the solar tiles to let the driver know if they can park there

    -creates electricity when people walk over them

    -connected to curb to run/power the lighting

    -sensor to monitor that the car is in position

> know when someone is there at what time and for how long

    -monitoring by the city

> need to communicate information back to city for publicly available information

Existing meters stay in place

    -to allow for people to still be able to pay offline if don’t have the mobile app to pay

Dynamic signage

    -instead of static signs replace with electric signs that change based on time / day / rules dictated by city

Communication of Data

    -allow for tiles to communicate to publicly available database to make available to apps such as Google Maps

App Integration

-users can download app and have account with credit card information instead of paying meters

-allow users to pay fee for staying over set limit to increase city revenue and also create premium parking option

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Ideation

Reflect on the methods and techniques that your group used to come up with ideas to address the problem you defined in the previous unit and summarize those activities in a new post in your process journal. The “How Might We…” statement was a very popular jumping off tool with our group. By asking a multitude of these questions which ranged from the expected to the outlandish we were able to distill toward our big idea. What was great was that each question sparked a discussion that led down various paths. Many related. Some not. It also helped us get to what really bothers us as it relates to parking and that has led to ideation geared toward solving those irks. Our research tells us parking solutions are actively being pursued however it’s a very fragmented field.

What ideas were the outcome of your group brainstorming exercise? There were a lot of ideas to emerge. From rethinking urban planning entirely to mobility copters and drone surveillance to simplifying signage.The primary idea that seemed to cut across most of our initial “How might we…” statements was Communication. How can we revise existing resources to better communicate availability with commuters. At this point in time we feel there’s opportunity for improved and impactful communication between the municipality and the commuter. This is something we aren’t yet seeing in what’s out there.

What were some of the standout ideas and discussion-points that came out of the debriefing session? Following the brainstorming session, and after individual reflection, we regrouped on the ideas and continued to favor the subject of communication. Using communication as a starting point, however, led to some additional great ideas. Naturally, the thinking gravitates toward communicating availability *before* you arrive via apps and maps but what about when you arrive? How can the city quickly and clearly tell you a spot is okay to park at a specific moment? How can the city accommodate fluctuations in demand for either parking or traffic flow? Pretty interesting all in all.

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Group Brainstorming and Debrief

Using your problem definition, come to a consensus on what your idea-generating question should be.

*Warning to Drivers: Urban parking causes congestion, stress, confusion, anxiety, frustration*

How might we change city planning to solve for traffic flow and parking?

How might we alleviate stress and anxiety for commuters in cities?

How might we provide businesses a way to communicate parking for their patrons?

How might we provide clear communication to the drivers who are parking in urban cities?

The above distilled into our idea-generating question:

How might we alleviate urban congestion and commuter anxiety via parking solutions!

While you brainstorm with your team, be sure to record everyone's ideas.

Brainstorming Ideas per question:

How might we change city planning to solve for traffic flow and parking?

Top Ideas:

¥ Pedestrian only streets

¥ Parking structures to compliment last-mile solutions

~*Parking garage elevator (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JguJpX7bS6k)

*Free public transit

~Traffic circles

~Make publicly available information about street / city parking areas: cost/time/availability

Others: One-way streets • Adjustable parking depending on time of day or event • Restricted parking hours by vehicle type (deliveries vs. shoppers, etc) • Trolley cars for the 21st century • Lift • Car vending machines• Parking-only streets• Flying cars• Jetpacks • Tunnels • Uber copter • Aqualink (boat bus) • Self driving cars that move other people while you arent using them • High speed rail • Free Scooters • Transit Tokens allocated per household • Re-use parking spaces, rent them out when not in use for public events, farmer’s markets • New structures for underground, self service parking (ex, Tokyo) • Specified lots for valet parking across the city at designated structures • Create a car tax (making it more cost prohibitive to have car) • City Transit credit as benefit for tax write off

How might we alleviate stress and anxiety for commuters in cities?

Top Ideas:

*¥ Clear parking instructions/ symbols

Simplified restrictions

¥ Create universal signage to communicate parking availability

Easy to read signs

¥ Easy to identify curbs

For parking zones that change make signage digital to indicate red/green if parking is available

¥ Mobile Application/ Aggregator

~Create application to communicate via google maps/apple maps showing areas for parking availability in real time - EG Wayze for parking

Develop API for use in multiple apps to understand where parking is available real time or based on past history when planning to go to a destination

Give points when you find parking quickly via Wayze for parking, eg. parking credits

Others: *Valet on-demand • Pay meter by phone • Accurate GPS location/tagging • Caste system - pay to play • In car massages • ~Self driving cars • Secluded nap pods on commuter trains/metro • Support groups • Personal driving service • System that calculates how many people will be at a certain place and assigns parking everyone • ~Create application to communicate via google maps/apple maps showing areas for parking availability in real time - EG Wayze for parking • Develop API for use in multiple apps to understand where parking is available real time or based on past history when planning to go to a destination • Give points when you find parking quickly via Wayze for parking, eg. parking credits

How might we provide businesses a way to communicate parking for their patrons?

Top Ideas:

¥ Appointment parking

¥ Solicit other businesses around them to use parking when not in use

Google maps integration

¥ Real time updates they can publish to google maps as well as historical information on when what kind of parking may/may not be available during a  planned time to arrive

*On-demand valet

~Open table integration for parking reservation

Publish information on Open Table/Resy/Yelp

~Parking structures with active monitoring

Others: Offsite parking vouchers • Business’ website • Assigned spots for specialty clubs • Timed spots that knows when you are checking out/ready to leave • Publish information on Open Table/Resy/Yelp • Add information into their websites • Offer incentives to patrons to come during less busy times to alleviate parking, eg. free dessert, free parking vs. paid • Offer pre paid parking spaces • Texting patrons who have reservations about parking availability eg. if lot already full that they need to leave earlier to find parking

How might we provide clear communication to the drivers who are parking in urban cities?

Top Ideas:

*~Drone to fly around to get real time data on parking availability

*¥ Aggregation of information on all parking structures and street parking and communicate via car based on GPS location, ‘find parking’- use dashboard/onboard computer

~Active colored curbs

¥ Universal signage/symbology

¥ Make data available for usage in different applications about what parking is available vs. in use

Others: Larger parking meter info • Simplified signage • App for parking times and availability • Towing company calls/texts before they tow • Signage • Color designation • Communication between space and car (RFID?) • Real-time updates to mobile device • Symbols • Lighting • Better color usage for curbs 8 Changeable signage or more clear, eg. red = unavailable, green = available (tiny lights in curb) • Make parking data public for open api use for all developers to use in their apps •

Observe and visualize your brainstorming process (Do you do it remotely? What collaboration software do you use? Are you writing, drawing, or something else? How does everyone feel?).

Our brainstorming was remote via Zoom. Our joint software of choice is Google Docs because of the real-time editing. DH used MindNode on his own. Aimee used LucidCharts

Limit the duration of your group brainstorming activity and make sure that you always have the prompt in front of you.

5 minutes. We took turns monitoring the clock.

Get as many ideas out as possible; the more the better. Once your brainstorming session is over, take a little time to look at the ideas that you have generated as a group and attempt to make an effort to organize them in some logical fashion.

Each of us shared our ideas, then we each choose 2 to 3 ideas from the collection and moved them to the top. From here we selected the common threads through all to determine our key points.

Discuss some of your favorite ideas from each other and how you could combine different ideas in various ways. Create a new post in your process journal documenting all of this.

Following all the above we know we want to remove friction from the experience. We envision some combination of clear instructions/signage with publicly available information to maximize accessibility.

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Problem Definition (Individual & Group)

Personal Definition: How might we make parking Quick, Affordable and Convenient? In other words: How do we minimize the holistic cost of parking? Make urban areas more easily accessible? Who is our audience? Drivers; Consumers; Businesses How might we make parking more Affordable/Accessible (in terms of time, price and location).

Personal Thinking: Every working person or business can calculate their respective time usage in terms of dollars. Every minute spent looking for parking or complying with parking requirements has a cost.

The other item on the Affordability scale is Convenience. How can parking be made more convenient while also being sensitive to the cost issue noted above? How much is there? Where is it located relative to my destination? Is it better to only have off-street parking? Are certain spaces seeing always occupied? Not being used at all? Under used?

Finally there’s accessibility. How can parking access be quicker? How can that access be structured to lessen or avoid impact on other drivers? Does the urban setting need to change from a planning standpoint? How do we change existing infrastructure?

Team Puce/Astronauts Problem Definition FINAL VERSION Problem: How might we optimize parking for those moving within urban locations?

Audience: Primary: Drivers Secondary: Businesses & Municipality/City Services

Measurable goals: Increased parking options, optimize urban mobility

------------- Individual Problem Statements [AG] HOW MIGHT WE ...             Help People Find Parking When They Arrive At Their Destination                     Help People Understand What Their Parking Options Are                     Help City Planners Determine Ideal Parking Options Alongside Traffic Flow Plans                     Help Make A Healthier Environment For People To Find Parking And Get To Their Destination                     Help Alleviate The Need For Parking                                     Help Give Other Options To Commuters So That They Don't Need To Park                 How might we simplify the parking process for people who travel to an urban location?             Steven Optimizing location, price, and availability for vehicles in urban and suburban areas. Expanding the options of urban parking by optimizing availability. Audience: Urbanites Goals: reduce confusion, increase parking options, optimize urban mobility Simplify parking and optimize urban mobility

DH    How might we make parking more accessible (in terms of time, price and location).    How might we make the parking experience nearly stress-free.    How might we revise hardware infrastructure to alleviate parking congestions.    How might we revise software infrastructure to alleviate parking congestions.

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Definition - Methods & Techniques

In defining our problem as a group we used a combination of the morphological analysis (which I’m not really a fan of) and idea generation through our meetings in and outside class and individual thought. A couple things helped my thinking and that was Davina’s suggestion to frame the morphological analysis in terms of who, what, when, why, where and how. That was a breakthrough for me. On a personal level, I’ve been using a mind mind map to help track and organize all the tangents we came up with. Call it a supplemental visualization. For us, the consensus was achieved through a rundown of “How Might We” options.

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Conjunction Junction

The Aston Martin DB7GT is extremely rare and fast and stunningly beautiful. The engine is large and has 12 cylinders and mountains of torque. The handling is comfortable and sharp. The Aston is typical of a hand-built British car but has reliability anyway. The interior is bathed in leather but accented with wood I can’t pronounce. Maintenance is expensive but far less than a comparable Ferrari. Whew!

My wife is smart and talented and a total smoke show. She has a doctorate and an eye for design. Jen is a great mom and wife and friend to everyone around her. Her sensibilities make me a better person and parent. My wife is pretty easy going but she quickly gets snippy when she’s hungry. She is pretty tall at 5’8” but not as tall as her 6’ sisters or intimidating as her 6’6” father! Her favorite thing to make is a reservation but not at Arby’s!

Yosemite National Park is majestic and breathtaking and a must-see. The Valley is enormous and cozy at the same time. The Park has cold rivers and massive waterfalls and spectacular rock formations. Yosemite is green and lush but subject to forest fires. Half dome is a beautiful hike but I’d tell you it’s exhausting. The Park is a great place to visit but my goodness there are a ton of tourists; )

Golf balls are small and white and aerodynamic. They can be made of 2-piece and 3-piece and even 4-piece cores depending on your preference. The balls are made in white and yellow and pink and any other color you can think of.  Some balls are designed hard to fly long distances but be soft for feel around the green. Balls often come numbered from 1 to 4 but you can get numbers 5 thru 8 if you ask. Golf balls can be thrown a good distance but you can always throw a baseball farther. Golf balls can be hit with a club and go quite for but cannot do the same with a baseball.

Let it Ride is a little known movie starring Richard Dreyfuss (in his coked up years) and Teri Garr and Buster Poindexter (aka David Johansen). This classic movie didn’t make much money and it doesn’t have much of a following. Let it Ride is hilarious and heartwarming and you’ll root the main character, Jay Trotter. The movie is about a depressing down-on-his luck gambler but it includes a crazy cast of characters including a very young Cynthia Nixon. Let it Ride is short but you’ll want to see it again soon. I like gambling but horse racing isn’t my favorite form of gambling.

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Analysis

In reflecting on Space as it relates to Parking I’ve spent a lot of time on discovery more so than research at this point. In the course of my day job, I’ve spent the last several years attending the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Vegas and there have been a number of exhibitors showing their wares on their vision of the future. And while no one has tackled parking per se, there have been several tangentially oriented installations related to urban communication and urban mobility. I’ve been looking into those exhibits in order to cherry pick from their knowledge. There were several interesting exhibits: Toyota (who really flipped the script), Ford and another was from the city of Dubai, UAE. Additionally, I’ve created sort of a living mind-map as a repository for all the divergent thoughts and ideas we’ve accumulated. I felt this was particularly important to my process as the Morphological Analysis was a tough method to wrap my head around. Throughout this process I’ve realized the rabbit holes are nearly endless. Every time my mind map adds a node you begin to record the links that act upon that node. But when you step back and try to find the common threads you see things come to the surface: communication, accessibility, time management.

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Acceptance

As I look forward to the end of this project I’d like to see meaningful and actionable ideas emerge that benefit the consumer, the municipalities and the businesses operating within the spaces we examine. As I set out to participate in this journey I’m truly energized to look into the idea so *finding* a positive state of mind isn’t really needed. Accomplishing the goal of providing a meaningful solution would be rewarding in and of itself just because it’s a daunting subject matter that is, no doubt, taking up a lot time in the urban planning space. But taking it a step further into something actionable for public consumption would be remarkable and exciting. If we could be rewarded with a grant to study the problem and, ultimately, capital and budget to implement our solutions, that would be fantastic. Better still, upon successful implementation wouldn’t it be great to see the results adopted elsewhere? And getting hired to replicate the solutions across the country? That would be additional validation. Personally, I’m motivated because of the potential to a provide meaningful impact on society. It’s corny but it’s a way to point to something say I did my part to help. That’s my picture of success!

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Contingency Management

Potential impediments to progress:

Natural disasters, personal/family emergencies, current technology,

Lack of motivation (unlikely), creative roadblocks, technical roadblocks, time, staying on task (avoid mission creep).

Capabilities:

DH – My capabilities are a commitment to succeed. I’m good at finding and/or creating solutions and preparing reasonable processes to implement. The only limits to success are those beyond my control such as natural disaster, unexpected family emergency or potential outside workload occurring in my professional life.

AG - My ability to pivot quickly should the need arise, whether we encounter a new obstacle or realize that we need to take a different direction I can switch fairly quickly to change directions based on new information and help determine a new path forward.  If we have a disagreement on how to move forward we are open to feedback and can determine the pros and cons to come to a collective decision on how to more ahead, keeping in mind our end goal so that we stay true to that regardless of our path.  We will need to ensure that we remove any personal attachment to an idea or decision so that we can do make decisions objectively as things can change and often do based on new information as we progress.

SS - I am good at accomplishing tasks efficiently. By analyzing the exact definition of the problem at hand I can quickly and effectively create solutions. I am able to adapt to my surroundings to achieve success. By properly managing time and being well organized I can avoid procrastination and deliver on-time.

TEAM – Collectively, I can tell there’s a professionalism and desire to achieve. We are all inquisitive and like to see projects through. Our only potential obstacle is any unmanageable requirement of our professional lives however our Team Norms address this possibility in that others will step in as needed.

See projects through from cradle to grave, collectively brainstorm, communication skills, utilize resources, inquisitive personalities

Establish reasonable and feasible goals and standards. What are your and your team’s intentions and are they in line with your abilities. Where does your team have gaps and how will you mitigate that?

• Define the problem and then solve it efficiently.

• Set milestones to track our team’s progress.

• Stay on schedule. Adjust should external factors warrant it.

• We want to help limit frustration.

• Being clear in our expectations of each other.

• Divide aspects of the project equitably.

• Be able to rely to each team member's strengths.

While we all feel competent in our ability to contribute equally, any gaps that arise will be discussed and reallocated as needed.

Be strict and consistent. Do not promise what you cannot deliver. Talk with your team on how to stay within scope and meet and exceed expectations with within your collective means.

• If we run out of resources or the task is larger than expected, being able to reach out to other members for help and/or advice. Adhering to the milestones and schedule. Avoid procrastinating. Set aside enough time to review.

• Team Norms:

Everyone has equal voice No wrong questions or answers (unafraid to speak) Everyone will help each other Everyone will be included in decisions Transparency Don’t lay blame, solve problems Be accountable Majority wins Eye on the goal

Reward yourself. What incentives do you and your team value when you meet your goals and, conversely, what is agreed upon and accepted “consequences” for you or your team members not contributing or behaving poorly?

• Acknowledging each other’s work is important to team success. Make sure to check in with all members throughout the week so that we can go over all ideas and progress. Be able to give and accept feedback.

• We will acknowledge and give credit where credit is due. We will check-in with each member regularly throughout the course of the project to track progress in accordance with established milestones. Failure to contribute isn’t a part of the plan. At this level we’re not here to waste anyone’s time.

• Upon conclusion, we’ve agreed to meet at HomeTown Buffet, 4221 South H Street Bakersfield, CA 93304 for a celebration that promises to rival that of a presidential inauguration! (Chosen because it’s somewhere between LA and SF)

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What’s In It For Me?

In addition to the benefits stemming from my *picture of success*, what the journey will bring to my party is, simply, the satisfaction of a job well done – a sense of pride. On a larger scale I’d like it to bring connections that will benefit me professionally. Perhaps it opens my eyes to a new industry and a second career?