This phase is about understanding the context around us because a solution must be well informed by its surrounding context, otherwise we may find ourselves investing into a solution that is not relevant to the context we are in.
Describe the context that you are in:
Existing research about this community / context
Collecting data about the community / context
Observations / experiences you have had in this context
Focus on the assets that you see around you that you can leverage on in this context (people, experiences, skills, knowledge that exist in the community).
Resources (click link):
This phase is about consolidating what is in your context and diving deep into what is the problem. It is extremely important to dig for the root cause because simply addressing a surface problem is not effective and will result in the problem resurfacing.
What is the issue that you feel a desire to solve?
Use frameworks like the 5 whys or fishbone analysis to identify the root cause (see resources below)
When and where did you start to explore this issue?
How did you encounter this issue?
Why do you feel this is an important issue to solve?
Who else can you engage with to help you understand the issue better?
Resources (click link):
This phase is about brainstorming ideas to solve the root cause you have identified. Be sure to go wild and dream big, think of all possible solutions without thinking of whether it's truly possible. All ideas are good ideas!
Once you have brainstormed a ton of ideas, analyse them using the impact vs effort matrix to see which one you should invest resources in. Don't be afraid to try and fail, it's all part of the learning process!
What can be done to solve the root cause?
Which solution is going to give you the highest impact with the least amount of resources?
Why did you choose this particular solution?
Resources (click link):
This phase is about executing your idea! A bit part of implementation is planning, so make sure you take time to plan how you are going to implement your project and monitor your progress so that you can feel successful along the way.
It's also important to consider your measures of impact (how you know you are truly solving the problem / progressing in the right direction) from the beginning so that you are clear about your "final destination".
Consider the following:
Goals
Measures of impact (how will you measure whether you have achieved your goals)
Timeline
Resources needed: money, manpower, space, etc.
Throughout the process, consistently reflect on your progress:
What are some highlights so far / what's going well
What are some challenges so far / what can you improve
Use frameworks like the PARK analysis (see below)
Resources (click link):
This phase is about sharing your project with others, which is why we have developed this toolkit and shared the journey of our 15 finalists with you! We believe it's important to share so that you can inspire and learn from others.
What were some key learnings you gained from implementing your project?
What advice would you give to someone who wants to implement a similar project?
What resources would you share to others who want to implement a similar project?