Tools you need NOW! Part 1

Deborah DeLue • Oct 07, 2022

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES. Vol. 3 No. 20 October 7, 2022

You may have noticed that we often write about how we've applied visual thinking in our day-to-day lives. This is because we believe learning and using visual thinking tools is your secret superpower. It's also one of the quickest, easiest ways to up your game, no matter the situation. No need to buy anything or learn to use new technology. All you need is something to write with and something to write on.

This week we're recapping a few of our favorite visual thinking tools and when you might reach for them. So grab your pens and play along.

Need to …

… generate new ideas? sort out muddled thinking? solve a problem? kickstart a new endeavor?

Meet the mind map on steroids. Marry a typical mind map with the 6x6 from Dan Roam's best-selling book The Back of the Napkin and you end up with a powerhouse idea-generating, problem-solving tool that is your ace in the hole. Getting ideas out of your head and up where you can see them helps clear brain clutter, makes connections and provides new insights. Learn how to create your own mind map on steroids and download a free template here: https://www.appliedviz.com/my-visual-thinking-ace-in-the-hole.

mind map on steroids template and image of hand with Ace of spades up sleeve

… decide between cost and quality? time and money? importance and urgency? wants and needs? others?

Meet the 2 x 2. This flexible, useful tool can be used in a wide variety of situations either by yourself, 1 on 1, or in a group. Plotting ideas visually can lead to new insights and clarity while helping groups reach shared understanding and agreements in order to make a decision. You can learn how to use a 2 x 2 to combat decision fatigue here: https://www.appliedviz.com/visuals-combat-decision-fatigue.

… uncover preferences, talents, resources or strengths? overlaps between categories? valuable intersections between relationships?

Meet the Venn diagram. Organizing information visually and highlighting the overlaps and intersections can help uncover relationships you may not have noticed before. Test drive a Venn diagram, and download a free template to discover your happy places here: https://www.appliedviz.com/explore-your-happy-place.

These three powerhouse tools are a great place to start. Ready to learn more?

When you need to:

Understand your customers' pain points, bottlenecks, and sources of dissatisfaction.

Check out AVT for CUSTOMER JOURNEY MAPPING. Working visually reduces complexity, clarifies information, and generates ideas.

Adapt and change quickly?

Check out AVT for INNOVATION. Working visually helps generate, capture and organize a large volume of ideas to address a clearly stated need. Equipped with these, you can develop a new or revised product, service, or system you can share quickly, clearly, and confidently with others.

Save time and money and avoid unnecessary delays during your next project?

Check out AVT for PROJECT MANAGEMENT. Following a project management process reaps rewards and benefits no matter your project size. Using visual PROJECT MANAGEMENT tools is faster and easier and makes it simpler to collaborate, iterate and share. The bigger the project, the bigger the potential for saving time and money. At the same time, the bigger the project, the greater the risks and the opportunity to avoid them.

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