Mindset for Success
Discovery Canvans
You may want to answer these questions to make sure it is truly a problem:
- The people in this problem are
- Is this a problem?
- How are they currently solving this problem?
- Have they tried other solutions in the past to solve this problem?
- On the scale of 1-10, the seriousness of the problem is
- The people who would be able to provide input into this problem are
- They would need to spend $ to fix this problem.
Problem: Employers are not calling in indicating they cannot work, and they do not have a replacement. Therefore, causing shortness in staff working.
Opportunity Discovery Canvas Capstone Project
Part 1
INDIVIDUAL PROJECT
Project Overview
Throughout our Mindset for Success course, you have been exposed to a variety of activities to help see problems as opportunities in your academic, personal, community, and work life. Now you will have the chance to find one of these problems and go through the process to turn it into a real-life opportunity.
Earlier in the course, you were asked to think of a problem that you have encountered in your school, work, community, or personal life that you can turn into an opportunity. This problem needs to be something that creates value for others, does not have an obvious/easy solution, and requires you to gather information from others. For this assignment, you are welcome to use your original problem or perhaps you have thought of a new one over the last few weeks. Either way, it is important that you finalize the problem that you want to work on so you can begin this project now.
You can complete this project by yourself or in a group. If you chose to work in a group, you will need to use the other file that specifies GROUP PROJECT. Close this file and open the other one.
Choose a problem that you truly care about – one that you really want to find a solution that can help you and can help others. It makes working on this project so much more enjoyable and satisfying.
Once you have your problem and are ready to get started, you will go through the various phases of the Opportunity Discovery Canvas by answering the questions on the next several pages. Please provide thoughtful responses to each question to show that you have really thought about it. Similar to our course, you will need take action to learn more about your problem and possible solutions, gain knowledge by talking to a variety of people, be resourceful in thinking about solutions – especially with limited resources, use your community to support you and help you learn, and be persistent in order to see your solution through to completion. You’ll be going through the various phases of our course all in this one project!
As you go through the process, know that not every step will be easy. You may encounter some roadblocks, frustration, fear, anxiety, uncertainty, etc. These are normal feelings when you try something new and get out of your comfort zone. Remember, we have discussed various strategies to cope and encourage you to use them. In addition, your classmates and instructor are also here to support you.
Part of the project will ask you to answer questions on your own while other parts will require you to get out and talk with stakeholders (people who have an interest or concern such as customers, employees, residents, patients, community members, etc.). Be sure to save enough time to gather your knowledge since that is such an important part of this project.
As you go through the document, at certain points in the project, you will be directed to put your answers on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary – a separate handout. This page will create a summary of your project. At the very end of our course, you will be asked to present your findings to the class either in a 5-minute video (online) or in a 5-minute classroom presentation. You will use the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary for your presentation. (More details about this will be provided.)
Enjoy this project. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Describe the problem you want to solve.
What is the problem you want to solve?
How did you encounter this problem or unmet need?
Do other people have this problem? If so, who? (If others don’t have this problem, then you need to think of a new problem.)
Why is this problem worth solving?
è Summarize your answers from Step 1 and transfer to box 1 on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary.docx
Step 2: Describe the type of people who have this problem.
Describe the age range, gender, areas of interest, profession, etc. of people who have this problem.
Which stakeholders (types of people who have an interest or concern with the outcome) can you discuss this problem with?
è Summarize your answers from Step 2 and transfer to box 2 on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary.docx
Step 3: How are these stakeholders currently solving the problem?
Describe any other solutions that are currently available. Why is/are the current solution(s) inadequate?
How important is this problem?
è Summarize your answers from Step 3 and transfer to box 3 on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary.docx
Step 4: Interviewing Stakeholders
In blanks 1-10 below, list ten (10) potential stakeholders (people who have an interest or concern with the outcome) who you could talk to about this problem. This should include a variety of people.
For example, if you were looking to reduce patient wait times at a doctor’s office, you would need to talk to patients, doctors, administrative staff, the office manager, etc. You wouldn’t get a good idea of the whole problem or potential solutions if you only talked to patients so you need to talk to all stakeholders involved. If you know their names, list them. If you don’t know names, list how they relate to the problem (patient #1, patient #2, doctor #1, doctor #2, etc.)
- _________________________________
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- _________________________________
- _________________________________
- _________________________________
- _________________________________
- _________________________________
- _________________________________
- _________________________________
Then list questions you can ask them about the problem. This could include things like:
- How does this problem effect you?
- What problems has it caused you?
- Why would you like to have it solved?
- How important is this problem to you?
- What do you wish could occur?
- How are you currently solving this problem?
- Why is that solution not acceptable?
- What other solutions are available?
Questions you plan to ask related to your problem. You can use/modify some above or make up your own specifically related to your problem. (List at least four (4), but you can have more if you’d like.)
- ____________________________________
- ____________________________________
- ____________________________________
- ____________________________________
- ____________________________________
- ____________________________________
- ____________________________________
- ____________________________________
Step 5: Information Learned From Talking to Stakeholders
Next, go out and talk to at least 10 stakeholders about the problem. Avoid offering solutions at this point and simply seek to gather information about the problem, how it affects people, what challenges it has made, etc.
For example, your conversation could go something like this, “Hi, my name is ________. I am working on a capstone project for one of my college courses about patient wait times. Would you mind if I asked you a few questions?” (If yes, proceed.) “Have you ever experienced long patient wait times? How long do you feel is too long to wait in a doctor’s office?” “What challenges have you had when you have had to wait for a doctor for a long time?” “How has that affected the rest of your day?” “How did that affect your doctor visit?” “Did it have any other affects on you?” “What is the maximum time you’d like to wait for the doctor?” “Is there anything else you’d like to share with me about ideal patient wait times?”
Below, list each question you asked. Beneath each question, list the answers from each person you interviewed.
Step 6: Reflection #1
What have you learned so far?
What obstacles did you encounter in the process? How did you overcome them?
How has your idea evolved or changed?
What assumptions were accurate and which assumptions changed after further analysis?
What do you need to do next?
Have you talked to enough people to gain enough knowledge about a solution? (If not, you are welcome to talk to more than 10 people.)
Can you do a test or experiment to see if your assumption will work? If so, what can you do?
Opportunity Discovery Canvas Capstone Project
Part 2
INDIVIDUAL PROJECT
For this second part of the project, you will taking the knowledge that you have learned and thinking through your proposed solution. You will be guided through the process by answering a variety of questions about your problem that you turned into an opportunity.
Use this document if you are completing the project on your own. If you are completing the project as a group, be sure you use the GROUP PROJECT document.
Again, after each section, you will be asked to transfer a brief summary of that section to one of the boxes on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary. This will help condense your thoughts and help you prepare for your presentation at the end of the course.
As you will note, you are not required to implement your solution, but if you have the ability to do so, please do! Some solutions won’t be able to be implemented to due to time, money, or other constraints, but if yours can, it would be an amazing experience to see it through to the completion. We would love to hear about your results and the impact it creates.
At the end, you will complete a reflection. Please take the time to reflect and realize all of the great things you have learned and experienced in this course. Be sure to tie these things into the concepts we have learned.
Finally, as noted earlier, you will be creating a 5-minute presentation about the process you went through. More details are provided about this on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Final Project Presentation document.
Step 1: Describe your proposed solution. (Correlates with box 4 in Summary)
Based on the information you have gathered, what solution do you propose?
What are the most important features of your solution?
How will you know if others want/are interested in your solution?
è Summarize your answers from Step 1 and transfer to box 4 on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary.docx
Step 2: How will your solution be different? (Correlates with box 5 in Summary)
How is your idea better than existing solutions? Describe the key differences.
How will you know if others value this improvement?
è Summarize your answers from Step 2 and transfer to box 5 on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary.docx
Step 3: Will people buy-in to (use) your solution? (Correlates with box 6 in Summary)
How will you know that your solution creates value for others?
Will people be willing to use/implement your solution? Why or why not?
è Summarize your answers from Step 3 and transfer to box 6 on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary.docx
Step 4: How will potential stakeholders know about your solution? (Correlates with box 7 in Summary)
How can you find out if people may be interested in your solution?
What methods of communication do you need to reach them? How would you promote or explain it?
What message do you want to convey? What information needs to be shared?
è Summarize your answers from Step 4 and transfer to box 7 on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary.docx
Step 5: How will potential stakeholders implement or use your solution? (Correlates with box 8 in Summary)
Are there policy or procedure changes needed for implementation? Do you need approval from anyone? If so, who? How would you go about getting that approval?
How will stakeholders work together to implement this solution?
è Summarize your answers from Step 5 and transfer to box 8 on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary.docx
Step 6: What final actions need to take place to implement or use your solution? (Correlates with box 9 in Summary)
How would the solution be implemented to stakeholders?
Are there any other consequences to implementation that need to be considered?
What would be the timeline for implementation?
è Summarize your answers from Step 6 and transfer to box 9 on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary.docx
Reflection #2
What new insights have you gained about your idea?
What types of obstacles might you face when you implement?
Are you planning to implement your solution? Why or why not?
What was the easiest part of this process?
What was the hardest part of the process?
What did you learn from going through this process?
What advice would you give to someone else who is working to turn a problem into an opportunity?
Assignment: Final 5-Minute Presentation – Due May 12th Using WebEx
After you have completed the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Phase 1 and Phase 2 along with the Canvas Summary, you are ready to complete your presentation. For this project, you are not required to implement your solution, but you are certainly welcome to do so if you are able. Some projects may not be able to be implemented due to time or money constraints, but if yours can, go for it!
The last part of the project involves sharing what you discovered and learned throughout this process in a 5-minute presentation in front of the class. Please note that you are not being graded on how successful or great your solution is; rather your grade will depend on how thoroughly you went through the process, what you discovered along the way, and what you learned.
To share your findings, please prepare an up to presentation that highlights the information from the Canvas Summary that you created. Please be sure to plan out what you are going to say so it is polished.
For timing purposes on your video, each of the following should take approximately 60-90 seconds:
- Give background and explaining your problem, who has the problem, (boxes 1-3) etc.
- Talk about the research you did, what you found, and then your proposed solution (boxes 4-6).
- Explain how your solution would be implemented (boxes 7-9) as well as any constraints or limitations that will make it difficult to implement and why.
- Share what you learned throughout this process as well. What was easy? What was frustrating? How did you overcome challenges?
- Finally, if you are able to implement it, be sure to share that with us too!
Remember, your presentation should be 5 minutes or less so be sure to focus on the main parts of your project. The idea is to briefly discuss it focusing on the highlights. Lengthy presentations are not desired. This should be brief and to the point. Be sure to rehearse to sound polished and professional.
If you complete a group project, all members of the group should have a role in the video presentation. If a group member does not participate in the video, please explain why or the member may receive a reduced grade.
You are not required to use any type of presentation software (like PowerPoint or Prezi), but you are welcome to do so if you wish. You may simply stand in front explain if that is your preference.
This assignment correlates with Outcome #3: Complete the 5-minute presentation
Mindset for Success
Discovery Canvans
You may want to answer these questions to make sure it is truly a problem:
- The people in this problem are
- Is this a problem?
- How are they currently solving this problem?
- Have they tried other solutions in the past to solve this problem?
- On the scale of 1-10, the seriousness of the problem is
- The people who would be able to provide input into this problem are
- They would need to spend $ to fix this problem.
Problem: Employers are not calling in indicating they cannot work, and they do not have a replacement. Therefore, causing shortness in staff working.
Opportunity Discovery Canvas Capstone Project
Part 1
INDIVIDUAL PROJECT
Project Overview
Throughout our Mindset for Success course, you have been exposed to a variety of activities to help see problems as opportunities in your academic, personal, community, and work life. Now you will have the chance to find one of these problems and go through the process to turn it into a real-life opportunity.
Earlier in the course, you were asked to think of a problem that you have encountered in your school, work, community, or personal life that you can turn into an opportunity. This problem needs to be something that creates value for others, does not have an obvious/easy solution, and requires you to gather information from others. For this assignment, you are welcome to use your original problem or perhaps you have thought of a new one over the last few weeks. Either way, it is important that you finalize the problem that you want to work on so you can begin this project now.
You can complete this project by yourself or in a group. If you chose to work in a group, you will need to use the other file that specifies GROUP PROJECT. Close this file and open the other one.
Choose a problem that you truly care about – one that you really want to find a solution that can help you and can help others. It makes working on this project so much more enjoyable and satisfying.
Once you have your problem and are ready to get started, you will go through the various phases of the Opportunity Discovery Canvas by answering the questions on the next several pages. Please provide thoughtful responses to each question to show that you have really thought about it. Similar to our course, you will need take action to learn more about your problem and possible solutions, gain knowledge by talking to a variety of people, be resourceful in thinking about solutions – especially with limited resources, use your community to support you and help you learn, and be persistent in order to see your solution through to completion. You’ll be going through the various phases of our course all in this one project!
As you go through the process, know that not every step will be easy. You may encounter some roadblocks, frustration, fear, anxiety, uncertainty, etc. These are normal feelings when you try something new and get out of your comfort zone. Remember, we have discussed various strategies to cope and encourage you to use them. In addition, your classmates and instructor are also here to support you.
Part of the project will ask you to answer questions on your own while other parts will require you to get out and talk with stakeholders (people who have an interest or concern such as customers, employees, residents, patients, community members, etc.). Be sure to save enough time to gather your knowledge since that is such an important part of this project.
As you go through the document, at certain points in the project, you will be directed to put your answers on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary – a separate handout. This page will create a summary of your project. At the very end of our course, you will be asked to present your findings to the class either in a 5-minute video (online) or in a 5-minute classroom presentation. You will use the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary for your presentation. (More details about this will be provided.)
Enjoy this project. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Describe the problem you want to solve.
What is the problem you want to solve?
How did you encounter this problem or unmet need?
Do other people have this problem? If so, who? (If others don’t have this problem, then you need to think of a new problem.)
Why is this problem worth solving?
è Summarize your answers from Step 1 and transfer to box 1 on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary.docx
Step 2: Describe the type of people who have this problem.
Describe the age range, gender, areas of interest, profession, etc. of people who have this problem.
Which stakeholders (types of people who have an interest or concern with the outcome) can you discuss this problem with?
è Summarize your answers from Step 2 and transfer to box 2 on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary.docx
Step 3: How are these stakeholders currently solving the problem?
Describe any other solutions that are currently available. Why is/are the current solution(s) inadequate?
How important is this problem?
è Summarize your answers from Step 3 and transfer to box 3 on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary.docx
Step 4: Interviewing Stakeholders
In blanks 1-10 below, list ten (10) potential stakeholders (people who have an interest or concern with the outcome) who you could talk to about this problem. This should include a variety of people.
For example, if you were looking to reduce patient wait times at a doctor’s office, you would need to talk to patients, doctors, administrative staff, the office manager, etc. You wouldn’t get a good idea of the whole problem or potential solutions if you only talked to patients so you need to talk to all stakeholders involved. If you know their names, list them. If you don’t know names, list how they relate to the problem (patient #1, patient #2, doctor #1, doctor #2, etc.)
- _________________________________
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- _________________________________
- _________________________________
- _________________________________
- _________________________________
- _________________________________
- _________________________________
- _________________________________
Then list questions you can ask them about the problem. This could include things like:
- How does this problem effect you?
- What problems has it caused you?
- Why would you like to have it solved?
- How important is this problem to you?
- What do you wish could occur?
- How are you currently solving this problem?
- Why is that solution not acceptable?
- What other solutions are available?
Questions you plan to ask related to your problem. You can use/modify some above or make up your own specifically related to your problem. (List at least four (4), but you can have more if you’d like.)
- ____________________________________
- ____________________________________
- ____________________________________
- ____________________________________
- ____________________________________
- ____________________________________
- ____________________________________
- ____________________________________
Step 5: Information Learned From Talking to Stakeholders
Next, go out and talk to at least 10 stakeholders about the problem. Avoid offering solutions at this point and simply seek to gather information about the problem, how it affects people, what challenges it has made, etc.
For example, your conversation could go something like this, “Hi, my name is ________. I am working on a capstone project for one of my college courses about patient wait times. Would you mind if I asked you a few questions?” (If yes, proceed.) “Have you ever experienced long patient wait times? How long do you feel is too long to wait in a doctor’s office?” “What challenges have you had when you have had to wait for a doctor for a long time?” “How has that affected the rest of your day?” “How did that affect your doctor visit?” “Did it have any other affects on you?” “What is the maximum time you’d like to wait for the doctor?” “Is there anything else you’d like to share with me about ideal patient wait times?”
Below, list each question you asked. Beneath each question, list the answers from each person you interviewed.
Step 6: Reflection #1
What have you learned so far?
What obstacles did you encounter in the process? How did you overcome them?
How has your idea evolved or changed?
What assumptions were accurate and which assumptions changed after further analysis?
What do you need to do next?
Have you talked to enough people to gain enough knowledge about a solution? (If not, you are welcome to talk to more than 10 people.)
Can you do a test or experiment to see if your assumption will work? If so, what can you do?
Opportunity Discovery Canvas Capstone Project
Part 2
INDIVIDUAL PROJECT
For this second part of the project, you will taking the knowledge that you have learned and thinking through your proposed solution. You will be guided through the process by answering a variety of questions about your problem that you turned into an opportunity.
Use this document if you are completing the project on your own. If you are completing the project as a group, be sure you use the GROUP PROJECT document.
Again, after each section, you will be asked to transfer a brief summary of that section to one of the boxes on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary. This will help condense your thoughts and help you prepare for your presentation at the end of the course.
As you will note, you are not required to implement your solution, but if you have the ability to do so, please do! Some solutions won’t be able to be implemented to due to time, money, or other constraints, but if yours can, it would be an amazing experience to see it through to the completion. We would love to hear about your results and the impact it creates.
At the end, you will complete a reflection. Please take the time to reflect and realize all of the great things you have learned and experienced in this course. Be sure to tie these things into the concepts we have learned.
Finally, as noted earlier, you will be creating a 5-minute presentation about the process you went through. More details are provided about this on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Final Project Presentation document.
Step 1: Describe your proposed solution. (Correlates with box 4 in Summary)
Based on the information you have gathered, what solution do you propose?
What are the most important features of your solution?
How will you know if others want/are interested in your solution?
è Summarize your answers from Step 1 and transfer to box 4 on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary.docx
Step 2: How will your solution be different? (Correlates with box 5 in Summary)
How is your idea better than existing solutions? Describe the key differences.
How will you know if others value this improvement?
è Summarize your answers from Step 2 and transfer to box 5 on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary.docx
Step 3: Will people buy-in to (use) your solution? (Correlates with box 6 in Summary)
How will you know that your solution creates value for others?
Will people be willing to use/implement your solution? Why or why not?
è Summarize your answers from Step 3 and transfer to box 6 on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary.docx
Step 4: How will potential stakeholders know about your solution? (Correlates with box 7 in Summary)
How can you find out if people may be interested in your solution?
What methods of communication do you need to reach them? How would you promote or explain it?
What message do you want to convey? What information needs to be shared?
è Summarize your answers from Step 4 and transfer to box 7 on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary.docx
Step 5: How will potential stakeholders implement or use your solution? (Correlates with box 8 in Summary)
Are there policy or procedure changes needed for implementation? Do you need approval from anyone? If so, who? How would you go about getting that approval?
How will stakeholders work together to implement this solution?
è Summarize your answers from Step 5 and transfer to box 8 on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary.docx
Step 6: What final actions need to take place to implement or use your solution? (Correlates with box 9 in Summary)
How would the solution be implemented to stakeholders?
Are there any other consequences to implementation that need to be considered?
What would be the timeline for implementation?
è Summarize your answers from Step 6 and transfer to box 9 on the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Summary.docx
Reflection #2
What new insights have you gained about your idea?
What types of obstacles might you face when you implement?
Are you planning to implement your solution? Why or why not?
What was the easiest part of this process?
What was the hardest part of the process?
What did you learn from going through this process?
What advice would you give to someone else who is working to turn a problem into an opportunity?
Assignment: Final 5-Minute Presentation – Due May 12th Using WebEx
After you have completed the Opportunity Discovery Canvas Phase 1 and Phase 2 along with the Canvas Summary, you are ready to complete your presentation. For this project, you are not required to implement your solution, but you are certainly welcome to do so if you are able. Some projects may not be able to be implemented due to time or money constraints, but if yours can, go for it!
The last part of the project involves sharing what you discovered and learned throughout this process in a 5-minute presentation in front of the class. Please note that you are not being graded on how successful or great your solution is; rather your grade will depend on how thoroughly you went through the process, what you discovered along the way, and what you learned.
To share your findings, please prepare an up to presentation that highlights the information from the Canvas Summary that you created. Please be sure to plan out what you are going to say so it is polished.
For timing purposes on your video, each of the following should take approximately 60-90 seconds:
- Give background and explaining your problem, who has the problem, (boxes 1-3) etc.
- Talk about the research you did, what you found, and then your proposed solution (boxes 4-6).
- Explain how your solution would be implemented (boxes 7-9) as well as any constraints or limitations that will make it difficult to implement and why.
- Share what you learned throughout this process as well. What was easy? What was frustrating? How did you overcome challenges?
- Finally, if you are able to implement it, be sure to share that with us too!
Remember, your presentation should be 5 minutes or less so be sure to focus on the main parts of your project. The idea is to briefly discuss it focusing on the highlights. Lengthy presentations are not desired. This should be brief and to the point. Be sure to rehearse to sound polished and professional.
If you complete a group project, all members of the group should have a role in the video presentation. If a group member does not participate in the video, please explain why or the member may receive a reduced grade.
You are not required to use any type of presentation software (like PowerPoint or Prezi), but you are welcome to do so if you wish. You may simply stand in front explain if that is your preference.
This assignment correlates with Outcome #3: Complete the 5-minute presentation
