Infinite Possibilities with Patrick Willis - Systems Arena (Episode 3)

Infinite Possibilities with Patrick Willis

In episode 3 Mike Cobb talks with Patrick Willis about the Infinite Possibilities for Non-Profit Organizations and the specific Arena of Systems. Learn about how agile frameworks, data visualization, and relationship-mapping impact non-profit organization's success.

Agile frameworks have the potential to deliver flexible outcomes and better results at a lower cost, which is exactly the kind of boost that non-profits and social impact organizations typically need.

Agile has many looks and names for unique approaches to management originally invented by software developers as a way to improve and speed up the rollout of new software products. Amongst the flavors of Agile there are several options, including Scrum, Kanban, ScrumBan, Crystal, AUP, DSDM, FDD, XP, Lean and many more.

Over the past few decades, it’s grown massively in popularity and scope, with managers now applying this approach across a range of different areas in projects and business operations.

Put simply, the Agile approach is an iterative approach to project management. In contrast, traditional forms of project management, such as the waterfall approach, spend more time with upfront planning and divide a whole project into a few typical, major stages; research and analysis, design, construction and feedback. Completion of this process takes up the entire project life cycle, and feedback only comes in at the end of the process.

The agile approach creates opportunities for more collaboration, creativity and efficiencies through the process. Agile includes these basic elements:

• A large project is broken down into a series of small 1-4 week stages, called sprints
• Each stage involves total collaboration across a team with daily meetups or “scrums”
• Work is transparent and shared in real time through use of tools to visualize and track progress
• Feedback loops are included in every sprint to encourage reflection and informed future steps
• The analysis, design, building or implementation and review phases are all conducted within each sprint
• Each stage in the life cycle leads to one complete iteration of a product or outcome

However, Agile is more than just a management methodology; it’s also a philosophy to improve organizational agility and a particular way of thinking about collaboration, workflow and the creative process.

At its heart, the Agile approach is about exactly what its name suggests: being agile. By replacing a rigid process with a creative, collaborative approach that prioritizes people and is flexible to change, Agile allows managers and project managers to deliver outcomes quickly and effectively, in an unpredictable world.

Data collection is not a problem for most non-profits. Rather it is the synthesizing of the data into usable sets probably communicated to key stakeholders that becomes a massive challenge.

Yet, effective data visualization tools help identify trends and patterns and empowers organizations to make better data-driven decisions. We can guide your organization through common types of data visualizations and seven platforms that can enhance those visualizations.

There are different types of data visualization, and their benefits depend on the kind of data you need to make sense of. That said, you’ll find that each type of data visualization is important and useful at specific points in your workflow. So, it’s worth keeping them in mind as you create your nonprofit reports.

1. Interactive Data Visualizations
2. Dashboards
3. Charts and Graphs
4. Maps (Relational, geographic, demographic, and more)
5. Infographics

You don’t need to be a data scientist to use a data visualization tools; they are built to break down the details in data, so anyone can interpret and understand them.

Relationship maps are the blueprint to identify, engage and grow your network of contacts in the most effective way and answers question like:

• Who are the key stakeholders?
• What are their goals?
• How influential are they?
• Do they have any interest in your work?
• What do they need from you?
• How do they feel about you or your goals?
• What actions can you take to grow engagement?

Relationship mapping helps you, increase engagement, communicate vision and goals, and unlocks potential in your kep stakeholders.

You'll also understand the quality and strength of your relationships, where the risks are and where to focus your time and energy.