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I am a Strategist from India, here to tell you my story!
Every professional achievement in my life is closely connected with my personal journey. And I believe it is very important that you know that story.
To that end, I can either write a well-crafted long-ish paragraph about who I am, OR I could just show you my Journey Map and Personal SWOT Analysis below.
You can always chat with me more here:
naisargi.shah18@gmail.com
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ASSEMBLE
An app that targets communication channels between a teachers union and its members.
6 months | Jan 2020 - May 2020
Academic | Studio Project
Parsons School of Design | M.S. Strategic Design and Management | NYC, USA
Team: Amanda Donavanik, Eileen Vogl
Project Objective
The project aims to help the union become more proactive as opposed to reactive by shifting the organizational structure from staff-centric to member-centric with an aim to empower to use the union for change, and not only as a complaint system.
How might we
create more transparency in the communication process of the teachers union, to empower the members to mobilize with ease
Client Brief
"Help us make the Union more proactive, as opposed to reactive."
"Help us empower our members to use the Union for change."
Key Research Questions
What are the ethos and values of the organization?
What is the current structure of this organization?
What are the advantages/disadvantages of this structure?
How does this organization approach member needs?
How effective are their problem-solving strategies?
Communication Channels
Between Members and the Union
Bottleneck at the Union representative's position.
(ecomap by Amanda Donavanik)
Communication Channels
Within the Union
Convoluted channels of communication between the departments.
(ecomap by Amanda Donavanik)
Insights: Core Issues
The union is viewed as more of an insurance policy, a backup plan, than an agent of change.
The value of a union is unclear for most of its members.
Field representatives are overworked, overwhelmed, and stretched thin.
Insights: Communication Issues
There is a high cost of trying to create change, which discourages innovation to bring change.
Members have no visibility into what others are dealing with, which discourages feeling of "belonging" born from common concerns,
Members don't see each other as collaborators and co-creators.
New lines of communication need to be established
Design Brief
How might we create more anonymity and transparency in the complaint system so that the members feel free to use their voice effectively?
How might we use language to foster approachability, inclusivity, and empathy as an organization-wide value so that members are better served?
Design Solution - Assemble
Assemble is an app that saves the Union administrator's time by giving members a tool to communicate and organize around problems that they see.
Prototype
A heat map of the Union's counties. A visual depiction of problems faced by members on a larger scale.
List of issues in your community. The issues which are relevant to you are prioritised by "likes".
Working groups show the user steps they can take to mobilize, in increasing level of involvement.
Each working group will have a common chat for conversations around mobilization and planning.
Value for Members
Makes member needs & concerns widely visible.
Makes organizing and mobilizing easier.
Allows members to easily connect around issues.
Value for Union
Assemble helps the union be more responsive in real-time.
It allows unions to have longer runways for emerging issues.
Understand member priorities in long-term planning.
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