the universal problem solving (ups) canvas: a project management dashboard for continuous...

The Universal Problem Solving (UPS) Canvas A Project Management Dashboard for Con>nuous Improvement, Innova>on, and Learning

In Sierra Leone, Africa, and Beyond

Dr. Rod King

Especially Since the 1950s,

The Wealth of Organiza>ons

-‐ Businesses, Non-‐Profit Organiza4ons,

Communi4es, Regions, Na4ons, and the World at Large -‐

Has Been Radically Improved By Using and Sharing

Explicit Tools for

Con>nuous Improvement, Innova>on, and Learning

THE PROBLEM

Many People

-‐ In Sierra Leone, Africa, and Beyond -‐

Lack

Project Management Tools & Skills

For Con>nuous Improvement,

Innova>on, and Learning

THE SOLUTION Project Management Dashboard for ConGnuous Improvement, InnovaGon, and Learning

Understand and Explicitly Apply

The Universal Problem Solving (UPS)

Cycle

Through Regular Use of


Canvas

The Universal Problem Solving

(UPS)

Canvas

Is a Project Management Dashboard

That Accelerates

Con>nuous Improvement,

Innova>on, and

Learning


(UPS)

Canvas

Can Also Be Seen As

An Interac>ve Dashboard for

One-‐Page Project Management

A Unique Feature of

The Universal Problem Solving (UPS) Canvas

Is That

Its Modules Inherently Describe

The Process for Con>nuous

Improvement, Innova>on, and Learning

q Organize and manage project meeGngs using the 5 topics or modules of the Universal Problem Solving Cycle (Canvas/Dashboard)

q SystemaGcally obtain, document, and share feedback from team members as well as other stakeholders throughout the lifecycle of a project: Increase Project Transparency, Accountability, and Performance

q Share knowledge and collaboraGvely solve problems using a standard one-‐page document: Translate any problem-‐solving methodology as well as problem and solu4on onto a one-‐page visual worksheet

q Deeply understand and learn how “tame” and “wicked” problems are iteraGvely solved in diverse domains especially using mulG-‐loop learning

q Comprehensively monitor and (24x7) track the progress of a project throughout its lifecycle

q Measure actual performance and customer experience against criteria for financial, social, and environmental success

10 TASKS FOR THE UNIVERSAL PROBLEM SOLVING (UPS) CANVAS

Tasks That Project Teams/Applicants and

Mentors Can Facilitate

q Determine and assess impacts (value) of project proposals as well as prototypes and full-‐scale versions of products, services, and business models

q Prepare One-‐Page Project Plan (Proposal) that covers the 5 modules of the Universal Problem Solving (UPS) cycle: Visually Summarize, Organize, Manage, and Evaluate Ideas During the Lifecycle of a Project

q Document/brainstorm ideas for problems (challenges) and soluGons as well as trade-‐offs in the creaGon of products, services, and/or business models

q Translate vision and strategy into reality

10 TASKS FOR THE UNIVERSAL PROBLEM SOLVING (UPS) CANVAS Benefits: Tasks That Project Teams/Applicants and Mentors Can Facilitate Using the Universal Problem Solving (UPS) Canvas

Copyright 2013. Dr. Rod King. [email protected] & hap://businessmodels.ning.com & hap://twiaer.com/RodKuhnKing

u  Universal Problem Solving (UPS) Canvas is a visual worksheet that uses the 5 modules (“Problem-‐Plan-‐Build-‐Measure-‐Learn”) of the Universal Problem Solving Cycle to rapidly, systemaGcally, and iteraGvely solve problems

u  Universal Problem Solving (UPS) Canvas can be applied to projects for con>nuous improvement as well as con>nuous innova>on of products, services, and business models

u  Universal Problem Solving (UPS) Canvas offers a visual framework and plaborm that seamlessly integrate the body of knowledge in several domains: Total Quality Management, (Lean Startup) Innova4on, Problem Solving, Strategic Planning, and Project Management. A holisGc body of knowledge accelerates conGnuous improvement, innovaGon, and validated learning in projects

u  Universal Problem Solving (UPS) Canvas provides a common language and visual pla[orm for planning, organizing, evaluaGng, and managing all types of projects

u  As a project management dashboard, the Universal Problem Solving (UPS) Canvas can be used for summarizing, organizing, managing, and evalua>ng ideas in projects

BUT, WHAT REALLY IS A UNIVERSAL PROBLEM SOLVING (UPS) CANVAS?

The Topics of


Canvas

Are Based on

The 5 Modules of

The Universal Problem Solving Cycle

UNIVERSAL PROBLEM SOLVING (UPS) CYCLE The Five Modules of the Universal Problem Solving Cycle and Canvas: “Problem-‐Plan-‐Build-‐Measure-‐Learn”

2. Plan

4. Measure

5. Learn

1. Problem 3. Build


Universal Problem Solving (UPS) Cycle


(UPS)

Cycle

Illustrates the Process and Cycle of

“Survival of the Ficest:” The Adap4ve Mechanism

That Organisms and Organiza4ons Use to Survive and Grow


(UPS)

Cycle

Is

Synonymous With

The Scien>fic Experimenta>on Cycle (Where the Problem Phase is Highlighted)

As Well As The Crea>ve Problem Solving Cycle

If We Can Hardly Navigate Vehicles

Without Using

The Vehicle’s Dashboard,

Why Do We Try to Navigate Projects

Without Using

A Project Management Dashboard?

Every Project

Needs

A Project Management Dashboard.

Every Project

Needs

A Universal Problem Solving Canvas.

UNIVERSAL PROBLEM SOLVING (UPS)

CANVAS

(-‐) (+)


Universal Problem Solving (UPS) Canvas: Visual Worksheet for HolisGc Project Management Project Management Dashboard for AcceleraGng ConGnuous Improvement, InnovaGon, and Learning

Alterna>ve (Linear) Formats For Presen>ng

The Universal Problem Solving Cycle

LINEAR PROBLEM SOLVING (LPS) CANVAS: Horizontal Format Project Management Dashboard for AcceleraGng ConGnuous Improvement, InnovaGon, and Learning


PROBLEM SOLVING MODULES

ITEM

5. LEARN 4. MEASURE 3. BUILD 2. PLAN 1. PROBLEM Value/Vision/ Outcomes

Impacts (-‐/+)

Prototype SoluGon

TheoreGcal SoluGon

Challenge/ Task

LINEAR PROBLEM SOLVING (LPS) CANVAS: Project Scorecard Project Management Dashboard for AcceleraGng ConGnuous Improvement, InnovaGon, and Learning



ITEM

5. LEARN 4. MEASURE 3. BUILD 2. PLAN 1. PROBLEM Value/Vision/ Outcomes (……./10)

Impacts (-‐/+)

(……./10)

Prototype SoluGon

(……./10)

TheoreGcal SoluGon

(……./10)

Challenge

(……./10)

Project Planning (Prefeasibility: Idea/Overview/ Applica4on/Hypo.)

Project Planning (Feasibility: Pilot/ Prototype/Budget)

Project Execu>on

LINEAR PROBLEM SOLVING (LPS) CANVAS: VerGcal or TradiGonal Outline Format Project Management Dashboard for AcceleraGng ConGnuous Improvement, InnovaGon, and Learning



ITEM (Project Cycle No. …..)

1. PROBLEM Challenge/ Task

2. PLAN

TheoreGcal SoluGon

3. BUILD

Prototype SoluGon

4. MEASURE

Impacts (-‐/+)

5. LEARN

Value/Vision/ Outcomes

LINEAR PROBLEM SOLVING (LPS) CANVAS: Project Scorecard Project Management Dashboard for AcceleraGng ConGnuous Improvement, InnovaGon, and Learning

PROJECT CYCLE PROBLEM SOLVING MODULES

Project Planning (Prefeasibility: Idea/Overview/ Applica4on/Hypotheses)


Project Execu>on (Launch: Scalable Business Model)

1. PROBLEM Challenge/ Task (……./10)

2. PLAN

TheoreGcal SoluGon (……./10)

3. BUILD

Prototype SoluGon (……./10)

4. MEASURE

Impacts (-‐/+) (……./10)

5. LEARN

Value/Vision/ Outcomes (……./10)


Example 1

Using the Universal Problem Solving (UPS) Canvas Summarize, Evaluate, and/or Share Team Applica>on for “Local FM Radio Sta>on” Project

In Innovate Salone Program

LOCAL FM RADIO STATION (Civic Media) Albert Academy (Freetown)

TEAM Kelvin D. (SS1) – Team Leader Ezekiel N. (SS1) Abdulai S. (SS1) MENTORS/SUPERVISORS Abdulai K. (Chemistry Teacher) Francis K. Christopher J.

“Students from Albert Academy have found a soluGon to solve this problem. They want to use cheap scrap metal and other recycled items to produce local radio staGons, to address the community needs. Having already built a prototype, the team is hoping to teach other youth to make their own radio staGons to be used as a plaborm for civic engagement. The team wants to produce these staGons/transmiaers locally and cheaply and make this knowledge readily available to everyone.”

“FM radio communicaGon is an essenGal part of daily life in Sierra Leone and everyone relies on their radios for news, music, gossip, sports etc. Unfortunately, due to the high iniGal costs, there are no truly local radio staGons -‐ made to serve the local community, with local news or informaGon.”

(-‐) (+)


Universal Problem Solving (UPS) Canvas for “Local FM Radio Sta>on”: Project Management Dashboard

Source of informaGon: hap://innovatesalone.org/



ITEM

5. LEARN 4. MEASURE 3. BUILD 2. PLAN 1. PROBLEM Value/Vision/ Outcomes (……./10)

Impacts (-‐/+)

(……./10)

Prototype SoluGon

(……./10)

TheoreGcal SoluGon

(……./10)

Challenge

(……./10)

Project Planning (Prefeasibility: Idea/Overview/ Applica4on/Hypo.)

CommunicaGon/ Local Technology/ Recycling Culture/ Talent Explosion

Cost/ Benefit; Model q Financial q Social q Environmental

Local FM Radio Sta>on: Civic Media (AA, Freetown) Team (3 No.) Mentors (3 No.)

Use cheap scrap metal and other recycled items to build local radio staGons

No truly local radio staGons for local community (youths/drop-‐outs/ students)


Project Execu>on

LINEAR PROBLEM SOLVING (LPS) CANVAS FOR “LOCAL FM RADIO STATION”: Scorecard Project Management Dashboard for AcceleraGng ConGnuous Improvement, InnovaGon, and Learning

LINEAR PROBLEM SOLVING (LPS) CANVAS FOR “LOCAL FM RADIO STATION”: Outline Project Management Dashboard for AcceleraGng ConGnuous Improvement, InnovaGon, and Learning



ITEM (Project Cycle No. 1 – Proposal/ApplicaGon/ Hypotheses)

1. PROBLEM Challenge/ Task

No truly local radio staGons for local community (youths/drop-‐outs/students)

2. PLAN

TheoreGcal SoluGon Use cheap scrap metal and other recycled items to build local radio staGons

3. BUILD

Prototype SoluGon Local FM Radio Sta>on: Civic Media (Albert Academy, Freetown) Team (3 No.) Mentors (3 No.)

4. MEASURE

Impacts (-‐/+) Cost/Benefit; Model q  Financial q  Social q  Environmental

5. LEARN

Value/Vision/ Outcomes

CommunicaGon/Local Technology/Recycling Culture/ Talent Explosion

LINEAR PROBLEM SOLVING (LPS) CANVAS FOR “LOCAL FM RADIO STATION”: Scorecard Project Management Dashboard for AcceleraGng ConGnuous Improvement, InnovaGon, and Learning

PROJECT CYCLE PROBLEM SOLVING MODULES

Project Planning (Prefeasibility: Idea/Overview/ Applica4on/Hypotheses)


Project Execu>on (Launch: Scalable Business Model)

1. PROBLEM Challenge/ Task (……./10)

No truly local radio staGons for local community (youths/drop-‐outs/ students)

2. PLAN

TheoreGcal SoluGon (……./10)

Use cheap scrap metal and other recycled items to build local radio staGons

3. BUILD

Prototype SoluGon (……./10)

Local FM Radio Sta>on: Civic Media (AA, Freetown) Team (3 No.) Mentors (3 No.)

4. MEASURE

Impacts (-‐/+) (……./10)

Cost/Benefit; Model q Financial q Social q Environmental

5. LEARN

Value/Vision/ Outcomes (……./10)

CommunicaGon/ Local Technology/ Recycling Culture/ Talent Explosion

HOW TO COLLABORATIVELY USE THE UNIVERSAL PROBLEM SOLVING (UPS) CANVAS Project Management Dashboard for AcceleraGng ConGnuous Improvement, InnovaGon, and Learning

1 •  Draw or Print out a large template of the Universal Problem Solving (UPS) Canvas, e.g., on A4 size paper or a size of 24”x36”

2 •  Put the UPS Canvas on a wall or large table

3

•  CollaboraGvely and sequenGally populate (using Post-‐its or notecards) or write on the 5 modules of the UPS Canvas: First, formulate proposals (hypotheses) for each module of the UPS Canvas in the sequence of “Problem-‐Plan-‐Build-‐Measure-‐Learn.” Then, go out in the field and itera4vely validate the proposals (hypotheses) for each module on the UPS Canvas (project/business ecosystem plan).


BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM (BE)

CANVAS

List of 10 Topics for Documen>ng Problems and Solu>ons in a Business Ecosystem

1.   Suppliers/Inputs/Partners 2.   Team & Resources 3.   Process 4.   Future Solu>on (Output: Product/Service/Plan) 5.   Retailers/Channels/Rela>onships 6.   Customers/Consumers 7.   Environment (Global) 8.   Pain (Cost) 9.   Delight (Benefit; DifferenGaGon; Revenue) 10.   Value (Project Outcomes; (Financial/Social/ Environmental Success)

Business Ecosystem (7 Topics/ Blocks)

Effects or Impacts (3 Topics/ Blocks)

(-‐) (+)


Process

Suppliers/Inputs/ Partners

Team

Resources

Future Solu>on (Output:

Product/Service)

Retailers/ Channels/

Rela>onships

Customers/Consumers

Environment (Global)

Pain (Cost)

Delight (Benefit; Differen2a2on; Revenue)

Business Ecosystem (BE) Canvas: 10 Business Ecosystem Blocks on UPS Canvas (Unannotated)

Value (Project Outcomes; Financial/Social/Environmental Success)

(-‐) (+)


Future Solu>on (Output:

Product/Service)

Value ProposiGon Product/Service

Top 3 Features

Retailers/ Channels/

Rela>onships

Customers/Consumers

Top 3 Problems


Industry

Pain (Cost)


Business Ecosystem (BE) Canvas: 10 Business Ecosystem Blocks on UPS Canvas (Annotated)

Process

Team

Resources



Example 2

Using the Business Ecosystem (BE) Canvas Details of Team ApplicaGon and Business Model for “Local FM Radio Sta>on” Project

In Innovate Salone Program

(-‐) (+)


Process (“Plan of AcGon”) q  Train youths to

build and operate FM radio staGons


q  Scrap/“Trash” q  Local Materials q  Mixer q  Amplifier q  CD Players: 2 No q  Wireless Mic q  Speakers: 2 No. q  Antenna q  Radio Dialing

Board Partners q  MoGvator: 1 No. q  Mentors: 3 No.

Team q  Members: 3 No. * Kelvin Doe (Leader) * Ezekiel Nagbe * Abdulai Samura

Resources

Future Solu>on (Product/Service)

Value ProposiGon “Turn trash to cash” Product/Service FM Radio StaGon

Top 3 Features 200m Radius FM Radio StaGon q  Locally made q  Reliable q  Affordable

Channels/ Communica>on q  Radio

Customers/Consumers

q  Local

Community q  Youths q  Drop-‐outs q  Students

Top 3 Problems q  Jobless (~50%) q  Skill-‐less q  Inadequate

CommunicaGon (Dialog)


Industry q  Civic Media

[Telecommu-‐nicaGon/ Electronics]

Pain (Cost)

q  Le4,440,000 = $1030 (approximately)


q  Sale of radio ads

q Talent Explosion

q TransformaGve Local Technology

q Recycling Culture

q Affordable Inter-‐Community Radio CommunicaGon

Source of informaGon: hap://innovatesalone.org/

Business Ecosystem (BE) Canvas for “FM Radio Sta>on” Project Plan (Hypotheses) in Sierra Leone
