Leveraging Visual Thinking Concepts in Project Management

September 23rd, 2014

Paul R. WilliamsLeader of Project

Management

PAiPlan Administrators, Inc.

For more than 30 years, we’ve partnered with financial advisors, plan sponsors and

plan participants nationwide to provide sole practitioners, small businesses and

start-ups with access to affordable retirement plans, along with providing

education and assistance to help prepare for a secure retirement.

Visual Thinking Concepts

INTRODUCTION

FACT: 75% of the brain's neuroreceptors

are devoted to processing visual

information

60x more than hearing!

FACT: It takes the brain seven times longer to

convert words into mental images, as compared to

actually viewing the image itself

FACT: Visual thinking makes understanding

complex problems easier AND reduces

cultural/language barriers

FACT: Visual thinking is one method the brain uses to aid word recognition and recall

Pattern capture is another...

For emaxlpe, it deson’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod aepapr, the

olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer are in the rghit pcale. The rset

can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit pobelrm

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FACT: Visual thinking is common in about 65% of the population, while the

remaining 35% think primarily in words and

numbers

"Show me the ROI of your

project"

"We can only invest in

positive ROI projects"

Project Task List (Football Play)Phil: Run a shallow crossFred: Run a counter cross just outside of PhilJoe: Run a 10 yard outSteve: You're the hot receiver on the fly routeEveryone Else: Pass Block Support

Requirement: Display a curved line where every point is equidistant from the center point and fill the object with a solid cobalt blue pattern

FACT: Visual thinking techniques

support both "push" and "pull"

type communications

The sender controls the

communication...

The receiver controls the communication...

Visual Thinking Concepts in Project

Management

Visual Thinking Tools

Mind Mapping#1 Visual Thinking Tool

Process Mapping

Process Mapping

Root Cause Analysis

Root Cause Analysis

Root Cause Analysis

Storyboarding

Storyboarding

Pictorial Requirements Elicitation

Visual Thinking Concepts in Project

Management

Visual Reporting Tools

Earned Value Analysis

Earned Value Analysis

Control Limiting

Control Limiting For EVA

Dashboarding

Kanban & SCRUM Boards

Kanban & SCRUM Boards

Infographics

Infographics

Infographics

Visual Thinking Concepts in Project

Management

Visual Collaboration Tools

Project "Science Fair"

Project "Display Wall"

Project "Collaboration Wall"

Project "Flight Status Board"

Real-Time Flight Status Board

Project Social Media

Visual Thinking Works Because...

Build your Visual

Thinking Toolbox

Visual Thinking Helps with Reporting...

Visual Thinking Aids

Communication and Collaboration