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Process Reflection

As I sit here and reflect on the last 15 weeks of education, I am awestruck at all we have learned and accomplished.  Coming from an educational background nowhere near design, business, or technology, I was admittedly nervous about what the semester would entail.  From the appetizer for the creative problem solving process that was the Integrative Practices Residential to our final project, we began to unpack the concepts behind creative problem solving, the structural methods to approach problem solving, the ebb and flow of divergence and convergence as it relates to refining and focusing, and how to develop a strategy that can be implemented.  

Just a few weeks ago when we began to work in our groups, I wasn’t quite sure how we would be able to collaborate in three different locations to meet our deliverables; however, technology is an amazing thing.  From Zoom meetings, to Miro, to Trello, to Figma, to Google slides and back, we sought tools that would allow us to collaborate across hundreds of miles to focus on how we would improve electoral integrity.  As far as the steps we took, I think every step (accept>analyze>define>ideate>select>implement>evaluate) had a key part in setting up the foundation for subsequent steps.  If someone needed a “problem solving in a hat” list of steps, I think all of the pieces have value that are taken into how teams approach the next.  Even the process journals (personal and group) that felt extraneous at times, provided the rubric for us to build out our presentation from as we chronicled the process of coming up with our voter registration solution.  

The creative problem solving process has been quite new to me and a nice comparison/contrast to the Lean Six Sigma training I have received in the past year.  To know that there are multiple solutions and approaches to problem solving adds more tools to my belt and sets our program apart from the rest.  Until the next iteration...

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Evaluation

In a few short weeks, our team has endeavored to tackle voting integrity as a means of providing electoral integrity (which has downstream effects on democracy).  Although it felt like a “big ask” in a short time, our team was able to work together well to get deliverables completed and everyone contributed.  Where there was an opportunity for each team member to step up, each of us passed the baton as needed or picked it up before it fell.  For our process, the Jury of Peers forum provided by Professor Crowley in each of the latter phases allowed us to see if our ideas and process matched what we conveyed.  Sometimes this showed us where we could enhance our app and other times it reminded us that we had limited ourselves to Phase I only (registration) and that further opportunities could be tackled in subsequent phases.  We also did well with staying in contact/meeting to discuss project deliverables, as well as breaking up tasks into smaller deliverables so they felt easier to work rather than trying to solve the whole process from day one.  As self-reflection is also a major point of evaluation, I think I have room to improve on organizing my deliverables earlier to allow space for getting things accomplished and adequate time for feedback.  I also think I need to do better at speaking up if I have concerns or feel like I need to take ownership of a given deliverable.  Closed mouths don’t get fed, so I must be sure to speak up if there is something I would like to contribute.  On a positive note, I think I do well at being a process checker to ensure we’re working towards a given deliverable within parameters as well as being a team player and assisting in any capacity needed.  Overall, I think this was a great experience to further my understanding of the creative process and how it takes a team of uniquely-equipped individuals to come together to achieve great things.  Together, a solid group of individuals who aren’t afraid to work hard and work together can get things done.

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Conceptualize it

The Business Model Canvas was a great way to further our implementation towards conceptualizing how our solution would best work.  Our team met immediately after class to discuss how to move from the canvas to a conceptualized model.  We drew upon features discussed in the Ideate phase and continued to narrow our focus on a minimum viable product.

The next step was to find a tool we could use to develop the wireframe collaboratively.  Based on the technology everyone was using, we landed on Figma. Coupled with Kelsey's storyboard that she created from the steps we verbalized in our meeting, we were able to create a wireframe that brought our product "to life."

We also developed a name for the application: Certivote.  We initially conceived the name “Votify”; however, this was already used.  The Certivote mark does not appear to be taken.  We chose a shield and a check mark to emphasize the verifying aspects of the solution.  We chose a militaristic font (Black Ops One) to send a message of security.  We initially started with a red color, but after reviewing it from the perspective of the user experience, we decided to change it to blue.

As a team, we reviewed voter registration sites online and decided that we would like to simplify and streamline the process for the voter.  We kept this idea in mind as we developed and reviewed the wireframe.

We also reached out to the former Secretary of State for the State of Colorado to see if he could provide feedback as a stakeholder.  Under his leadership, the integrity of his elections were considered among the best in the nation.  Additionally, another stakeholder we identified is a previous poll volunteer to be able to speak to our concept as it relates to the voting process and identity confirmation for voters.

The attached wireframe shows how we have conceptualized the onboarding process for the prospective voter.  We look to further develop frames to show the election experience prior to our presentation next week.  

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Business Model Canvas

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Implementation

This week’s focus was how to create the business model canvas to think through the concepts needed to be able to adequately plan for and pitch an idea for a product or service.  For our focus on improving voter registration with a secure digital solution, we broke our business model canvas into sections for each of us to do initial framework entries over the week.  We later met on Zoom to review each section, some of which sparked additional light-bulb moments that gave way to increased customer segments, additional revenue stream options by working with university, union, and corporate election boards, and ways to gain initial build capital via the 2018 Helping Americans Vote Act (HAVA) which provides grant funding to improve access and voting security.  We spoke about what we believed the various channels  would be for our voter registration technology and how we could get, keep, and grow our customer segments based on these channels (as well as what we would own and what we could use partners for indirect).  Finally, we rounded back to the value propositions section as a team to review the pain points of the most recent elections to confirm what our technology would solve.  Putting this information together on a single sheet allowed us to see how one section affects another and how each section interrelates (e.g. expanding in the customer segments may mean more revenue streams, key partnerships may reduce costs or provide partners for indirect channels, etc.).  

To gain interest in our technology, we would focus on the value propositions, how we would gain traction with customers (getting them, keeping them, and acquiring more).  Based on the 2016 and 2018 elections, we would focus our pitch on how our technology will alleviate the concerns that made voter registration unreliable or susceptible to corruption.  Since funding is always a concern for potential investors, we would show the available funds through the HAVA that each state has been allotted (which would reduce total cost if states paid into the implementation of the technology).  Furthermore, we would appeal to our investors by showing them the number of new voters we could impact every year and overall improve the perception of the voter registration process through standardization.

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Choosing a Solution

The group identified three possible solutions to improving electoral integrity from a technological perspective:

Voter Identification and Registration

Vote Casting

Verifying Votes

Initially, our group considered Why Not Try Them All?  We had envisioned a desktop and mobile application that took the voter from voter identification and registration to casting the vote to verifying the vote was counted.  However, the more we discussed the logistical and technical challenges, this did not seem to be feasible.  We felt it was wiser to tackle one solution and then over time add the additional solutions.  

To determine as a group which solution to tackle, we decided to develop a matrix using the methodology described in the asynchronous work as Opinions vs. Objectives.  Our primary objective was to choose the solution that could make the largest impact on electoral integrity.  To determine this, we identified the primary qualities the solution needed to improve electoral integrity.  We then rated them based on what solution was more likely to display those qualities.  We color-coded the ratings to display a heat map.

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Selection

For our process for selection, we initially thought we would try to tackle every aspect of the voting process. After discussing it and feeling that it may be “boiling the ocean” (cliche, but accurate), we decided to incorporate Opinions vs. Objectives to narrow our focus.  Utilizing this method individually, this process allowed for us to apply our own ranking to each category for each of our identified tenets.  In addition to assigning ranking, we color-coded the ranks so we could visually appreciate where our most viable solution was.  Upon completion of ranking individually, we determined our focus would be ID verification for voter registration.  Using these two methods gave us a more objective way to perceive our subjective opinions on each category and demonstrated how much we were on similar wavelengths.  This made our zoom session a breeze and allowed us to focus on planning the next phases.  We came back to the ID verification category on Miro and sorted our ideas into sub-categories.  Moving our sticky notes in Miro showed us where there was overlap with our ideas from the previous stage and gave way to voter registration as our topic.

Having selection tools to aid our conversation helped us come to a consensus more quickly than if we had to discuss each topic and category together.  It also allowed us to identify where we should focus without requiring debate or lengthy discussions.  These tools remove the perception of bias in idea selection that can sometimes sidetrack or derail a project.

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Group Ideation

Problem Statement to Ideate: 

Electoral integrity issues undermine the democratic process in the United States and creates a lack of confidence in state elections and thus a propensity to conflict and corruption.

When tackling the ideation around the above problem statement, team "Democracy Now!" used a variety of techniques, both individually and as a group, throughout the problem-solving process. These techniques include: brainstorming, group brainstorming, lateral thinking, as well as several "brain breaks" in between.

Throughout our research and ideation process, we used an affinity diagram to document our ideas, individually. We used color coordinating cards to identify who had which idea. At the end of the week, we came together as a team to discuss, explain, and defend each of the ideas and, ultimately, converge the ideas into themes. The above image is a snapshot of our final idea board, collaborating and combining the common solutions we deemed appropriate to implement in our solution.

The most crucial and common themes we pulled out of our collective ideation process were Identity Verification and Voting Methods – where we discovered verification and casting of the vote to be currently an area of weakness in Democratic voting processes.

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Ideation

Our team utilized the Miro application (web-based application available on pc and mobile platforms) to begin the ideation process.  We individually brainstormed potential solutions throughout the week in which we could access the app and place our "sticky notes" as we thought of different ideas/options/features.  This allowed an embedded "Take a Break" for us to be able to idea, take a breather, and come back to the ideation board when we were ready to post more ideas.  We additionally added a few clarifications of ideas in a group brainstorming session done via Zoom to review the content we created.  It was really interesting how we had such similar themes throughout our individual posts (color-coordinated by team member) and that the ideas crossed multiple themes of voting integrity (registration/verification, casting votes, blockchain tech, transaction receipts, and audits).  Our biggest category of ideas was in ID verification/voter registration.  We also discussed some of the naysayers in the market of digital vote capture as well as a current player in the blockchain vote capturing space, Voatz.  We also reviewed how our votes are captured in our respective cities and how much that process varies.  It was great to see the organic similarities between the ideas we came up with and were able to share with each other.

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Problem Definition

In order to see where our ideas aligned, we each posted potential problems that would make world peace solvable. My problem statements based on information from my analysis:

1. The representatives in the U.N. do no represent the votes of their average constituents.

2. There is no democracy if all voices aren’t heard.

3. Democracies are missing voting integrity.

4. U.N. checks and balances need alignment.

After regrouping and review, our problem definition was refined to the following:

Electoral Integrity

Problem Statement

When democratic nations have disparate voting processes, corruption of election officials, and/or error-prone counting mechanisms, the propensity for unequal representation within a global democratic system like a nation’s government, the UN, or the EU becomes higher. Within these systems, falsely elected people’s views override the views of the collective represented body.  This results in a lack of unity and conflict follows.  100% of the countries with wars of 1000 or more deaths in the last year had electoral integrity problems.

Solution-Based Hypothesis

If an inclusive, secure, reliable, transparent, and accessible electoral system existed, all citizens of any democracy could vote with confidence and be truly represented in legislatures and decisions of conflict.  This would be a foundational element to move towards a global democracy in which all people have a voice in the governing of their states/nations.

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Definition--Reflection

For the next phase trying to solve world peace, our team chose to utilize the brainstorming method utilized during the IPR to put down some of the ideas we had about the root of the problems in world democracies.  With the broad scope of our initial research, this allowed us to draw from our individual research to present problems we noticed so that we could see where there was alignment across topics.  We utilized Miro software (rebranded this week from Real Time Board) to provide this collaboration so each of us had the opportunity to put down all of our thoughts.  Once all of the thoughts were placed, we met via Zoom to affinitize the results so we could narrow our focus towards a problem we felt had the most impact.  We reviewed our results, noted where some ideas fell into multiple categories, and chose a common thread we believed to be at the crux of each of the committees we reviewed in the analysis phase.  We each included similar problems, so it was seamless to transition to a singular focus based on our posts, voter representation.  We further narrowed our problem to focus on electoral integrity.

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Ands and Buts

Tres Leches

The decadent tres leches birthday cake had two layers of moist cake and a thin layer of frosting with slices of strawberry in between.  It was covered in white frosting and dusted with slivered almonds along the slides and on top was fresh fruit.  Each person had a slice and there was a single slice left over.

The decadent tres leches birthday cake had two layers of moist cake but a thin layer of frosting with slices of strawberry in between.  It was covered in white frosting but dusted with slivered almonds along the slides but on top was fresh fruit.  Each person had a slice but there was a single slice left over.

Dunkin

My go-to order before a long drive is a medium cappuccino with foam and almond milk, hazelnut flavor, and two Splendas.  The flavor is subtly hazelnut and has less sugar than it’s milk-based, sugar-flavored counterpart.  It is smooth and not as bitter as some other popular chains’ cappuccinos.

My go-to order before a long drive is a medium cappuccino with foam but almond milk, hazelnut flavor, but two Splendas.  The flavor is subtly hazelnut but has less sugar than it’s milk-based, sugar-flavored counterpart.  It is smooth but not as bitter as some other popular chains’ cappuccinos.

Outfit

The pants were an olive green khaki and had gold accented closures. They were tapered in fit and sat close to the body.  The top was black and sleeveless with a sheer rose-printed cover up.  The shoes were black and accented with gold zippers down the center.

The pants were an olive green khaki but had gold accented closures. They were tapered in fit but sat close to the body.  The top was black but sleeveless with a sheer rose-printed cover up.  The shoes were black but accented with gold zippers down the center.

House

The house was a converted duplex with 3 bedrooms/2 baths in the front and 2 bedrooms/1 bath in the back.  The main exterior paint was a dark mustard yellow and the accent color was teal on the windows. It was situated between two smaller homes and two businesses, as this is an industrial neighborhood.

The house was a converted duplex with 3 bedrooms/2 baths in the front but 2 bedrooms/1 bath in the back.  The main exterior paint was a dark mustard yellow but the accent color was teal on the windows. It was situated between two smaller homes but two businesses, as this is an industrial neighborhood.

Curls

Her dark curls sat atop her head and sprang up from everywhere.  Each curl coiled tightly and shrank up as it air dried.  The smell of the strawberry leave-in conditioner lingered in the air and the sheen left each curl shining.

Her dark curls sat atop her head but sprang up from everywhere.  Each curl coiled tightly but shrank up as it air dried.  The smell of the strawberry leave-in conditioner lingered in the air but the sheen left each curl shining.

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Analysis

In my research for our problem, I focused on web searches from reputable sources to add to my knowledge foundation because I was familiar with the League of Nations and only recently heard about USAID.  I wanted to find scholarly literature, articles, etc. that provided a more reliable view of the information (especially as it related to the League of Nations).  From Brittanica to a 1923 Time Magazine to books from the 1920s/1930s, my sources required some digging to ensure that there was no bias in the reporting.  Additionally, I can be a mental pack rat, so I started gathering information from various sites and their links prior to last week’s class.  It may be extra effort to find all of these things, but I have definitely found that knowledge I accrue over time can be applicable to other problems or other concepts later down the line.  As a group, we outlined what we wanted to focus on for our morphological analysis.  Each member gathered information on their country to be able to share as a group and begin to identify what went well and what needs improvement.  Our next step when we meet again is to determine what is good to bring with us to the next step, as well as define what our focus will be.

As far as interesting information so far, I commented on our Big Questions assignment that this research really helped me link WW1 and WW2 and how Germany, Italy, and Japan joined forces.  It was so promising to see how focused the nations were after WW1 to prevent the damage and loss of life seen (although WW2 was less than 20 years after the League came into power).  The lack of US participation crippled the League and likely contributed to its failure and ultimate demise.  As far as USAID, the programs and initiatives created by the group are exciting as its focus hones in on development of other nations that have struggled.  At its core, the very best of USAID and its global vision to provide economic, food, guidance, education, and funding to help developing nations get to their feet.  If we can marry the best parts of our research and build strategies that incorporate the best across entities, we may be onto something.

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Our morphological analysis of global democratic systems

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Acceptance—Picturing Success

It is the end of the semester and we just felt the weight of our presentation lifted from our shoulders. Our collective sigh of relief is met with a hearty laugh to show how much we have learned, how much we have created, and how much we have grown through this process.  We never thought that we would be able to attack such large problem such as world peace, let alone be able to effectively strategize how a global democracy could be realized (yet here we are).  Even though there were times when we felt we had bitten off more than was chewable in seven weeks, we came together in a way that showed our collective commitment to excellence and to problem solving for the betterment of society. With our project, we will be able to implement our concept in a way that allows for a more in-depth look at globalization and how we can work to infuse the right concepts of democracy that ensure humanity and its rights are the true north. With this true north, human rights organizations and spokespeople will hear of our efforts and want to take the tenets forward in a way that produces positive long-term outcomes locally and globally. Our team will be invited to be ambassadors for our changes at international summits for peace and peace-keeping.  If we are able to tackle something such as global democracy with such a fresh, innovative approach, our possibilities are endless.

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What’s in it for Me?

Improved collaborative skills

Broader understanding of the global world climate

Increased awareness of issues plaguing other countries

Reducing nationalism while promoting inclusion

Finding ways to improve the world for my children’s generation and beyond

In pondering the need for world peace and how to begin to introduce concepts that will further this process, our group has chosen to dive deeper into discussion on establishing a global democracy.  Building the structure for a global democracy that accounts for the current failure points of the individual systems in place will allow for reduced conflict, improved cross-pollination of ideas, increased (and improved) educational access, and checks and balances to ensure sustainability.  Accepting this task will allow me to broaden my understanding of global issues while helping me identify how I can contribute to solving them.  It will allow me to change my inward focus and evaluate my contributions as a global citizen, which will improve the world we live for future generations.  Although this problem may seem too large to tackle, you must devour the “whale” one bite at a time.

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Contingency Management

Limits, Capabilities, Collective Capabilities Limit - Time (WB, KS, SB) Limit - Technology (KS, SB) Limit - Design (WB) Limit - Business Experience (SB) Capability - Writing (WB, KS, SB) Capability - Research (WB, KS, SB) Collective Capability - Collaboration Collective Capability - Intellectual Horsepower

Goals and Standards (Show misalignment, gaps) Respect each other’s thoughts - Be open to constructive feedback Establish clear time frames to meet or present drafts All members equally contribute - bring something to the table Communicate clearly and as often as necessary All voices are heard and valuable

Stay Within Scope Define the minimum viable product (mvp) Collectively agree on what each member is working on Work from shared documents - explain edits Meet deadlines Archive extra ideas and reference throughout project

Incentives Collective satisfaction at presenting a solid idea Learn from each other and grow Create a viable solution

Consequences Voted out of steps of the process Demoted to “Part-Time Contributor” status