Abby's Prototyping Solution

1. Hi! Im Abby! This submission contains The problem statement Two process-flow prototypes With the original idea on the lower-right hand corner of the page

2. and these as well: Testers comments on the process flow prototypes Theyre marked yellow Reflections on the prototyping activity

3. PROBLEM STATEMENTPhilip needs a way to append or improve his ongoing college education so that he would develop skills and acquire knowledge that will be more useful and relevant when he starts working because theres a major disconnect from his current academic setting and the working world.

4. Ask teacher s Take online course s Studen t org exposu re Other source s Work Apply for internship Get an internship Work and Observe the Workplace List down all the necessary skills and expertise Create a skill gap analysis Where do I need to improve or build on? Source learning and experience to address gaps PROTOTYPE 1 Take an internship in an architecture

5. Gather working team of like- minded students Draft and decide on org structure, mission, and strategy Coordinate and strike partnerships with architecture firms (Recruitment) (Ask them: what kind of skills they expect of interns, what kind of training they can provide, will they join the internship program) Draft an agreement that will satisfy all parties (firms who participate will get to select, and eventually hire students) Accept applications for student internship PROTOTYPE 2 Found an organization which would act as an effective intermediary between school and work. This organization will place students in internship positions Link students and firms

6. FEEDBACK FROM TESTER Ask teacher s Take online courses Student org exposur e Other sources Work Apply for internship Get an internship Work and Observe the Workplace List down all the necessary skills and expertise Create a skill gap analysis Source learning and experience to address gaps PROTOTYPE 1 Take an internship in an architecture firm Apply for similar industries. Use your contacts

7. FEEDBACK FROM TESTER Ask teacher s Take online courses Student org exposur e Other sources Work Apply for internship Get an internship Work and Observe the Workplace List down all the necessary skills and expertise Create a skill gap analysis Source learning and experience to address gaps PROTOTYPE 1 Take an internship in an architecture firm Ask questions/ volunteer incessantly or ask if you could attend management committee meetings or briefings

8. FEEDBACK FROM TESTER Ask teacher s Take online courses Student org exposur e Other sources Work Apply for internship Get an internship Work and Observe the Workplace List down all the necessary skills and expertise Create a skill gap analysis Source learning and experience to address gaps PROTOTYPE 1 Take an internship in an architecture firm Mentorshi p programs ?

9. FEEDBACK FROM TESTER Gather working team of like- minded students Draft and decide on org structure, mission, and strategy Coordinate and strike partnerships with architecture firms (Recruitment)Draft an agreement that will satisfy all parties Accept applications for student internship Found an organization which would act as an effective intermediary between school and work. This organization will place students in internship positions with partner firms. Link students and firms Or help improve/overhaul existing organizations if more feasible if they already have an established member base PROTOTYPE 2

10. FEEDBACK FROM TESTER Draft and decide on org structure, mission, and strategy Coordinate and strike partnerships with architecture firms (Recruitment)Draft an agreement that will satisfy all parties Found an organization which would act as an effective intermediary between school and work. This organization will place students in internship positions with partner firms. If architecture firms are unable to support such program it may be better to partner with other schools instead (training/seminars) Gather working team of like- minded students Accept applications for student internship Link students and firms PROTOTYPE 2

11. FEEDBACK FROM TESTER Draft and decide on org structure, mission, and strategy Coordinate and strike partnerships with architecture firms (Recruitment)Draft an agreement that will satisfy all parties Found an organization which would act as an effective intermediary between school and work. This organization will place students in internship positions with partner firms. Link students and firms Coordinate with school placement office Gather working team of like- minded students Accept applications for student internship PROTOTYPE 2

12. GENERAL FEEDBACK FROM TESTER HELPFUL Both prototypes tries to solve the problem QUESTIONS: Why not try to improve on the school? Both solutions are heavily reliant on architecture firms. Maybe you need to do research first if theyre amenable to these suggestions? They may not be able to accommodate these students. And if they are accommodated, they may not get internships that will train them.

13. REFLECTIONS What did you learn by testing your prototypes? What would you do next if you were to continue working on your project?

14. What did you learn by testing your prototypes? There were a lot of things that I didnt foresee when I was prototyping and thats okay. The point of prototyping is to make rapid output that can be immediately critiqued. I shouldnt be too emotionally attached over it because it is meant to be scribbled on, highlighted, scratched, and revised. When I was creating my prototype I didnt realize that I essentially forgot to consider the point of view and needs of another key player in my solution. My solutions both involve the heavy cooperation and coordination of architecture firms. My tester pointed out that these firms might not have the time, resources, or priority to handle such a specialized internship program. Moreover, my stakeholder might have a difficult time finding an internship in the first place. My tester also suggested that I focus on a different aspect of the problem: the school itself. Both of my solutions/prototype focused on building capacities outside of school; its important to attack the problem from its root cause first.

15. What would you do next if you were to continue working on your project? I would have to interview the other players in the situation: people from architecture school, and people from architecture firms. Its a bit difficult developing solutions that come only from one point of reference and Im sure that other key players have a lot to gain too if this problem is solved; for one, firms would have better hires if students came out school more prepared. If I were to continue this project, I would have to return to the empathize stage to talk to the other stakeholders in the situation. I think its important to find a solution that involves everyone cooperating.

Abby's Prototyping Solution

Design

gather working

sources work

minded students

parties found

link students

continue working

strike partnerships

effective