From wikipedia:

SWOT Analysis is a strategic planning method used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project or in a business venture. It involves specifying the objective of the business venture or project and identifying the internal and external factors that are favorable and unfavorable to achieving that objective.

* Strengths: attributes of the person or company that are helpful to achieving the objective.
* Weaknesses: attributes of the person or company that are harmful to achieving the objective.
* Opportunities: external conditions that are helpful to achieving the objective.
* Threats: external conditions which could do damage to the business’s performance.

The value is in being able to map your strengths to opportunities and strategize ways to mitigate weaknesses and threats or even turn them into opportunity and strengths.

Define where we currently are. Define where we’d like to be. Map our strategy to align groups to get to where we’d like to be.

After going through a design exercise it is valuable to gauge the mood of the design exercise. This can help team members discuss candidly their involvement in the project and whether they wish to be engaged differently at different moments. This also helps visualize the overall engagement level of the team during the project.

Discover
Understand the Problem Space

Define
Articulate what the Problem Space is. Define and map thinking to business and user goals

Design
Prototype and test various solutions

Delivery
Release the product or service with a feedback loop to improve on future designs and track with initial goals

In class this model was labeled as 4D, the Design Council talks about it as the Double Diamond. Read more about the Double Diamond Design Process

This model gets people to be in tune with their internal barometers and help manage through team dynamics. When we feel there is something that doesn’t quite sit right we vocalize it and we make sure that we manage through the potential issue with an open and transparent dialogue. By doing this earlier than later it can avoid misunderstandings and larger issues as things progress.

Phase 1 – Data Gathering and information Sharing
When our teams first assemble we gather data about each other’s likes, dislikes, attitudes, and behaviours. This allows us to feel as if we can predict each others’ behavior.

Phase 2 – Role clarity and commitment.
We formalize our understanding of the role each person has in the team. This allows us to have clear and defined roles and a shared understanding of the group’s commitment. This leads to stability in group relationships

Phase 3 – Stability and Productivity.
With the groundwork in place there is stability and productivity in the group dynamic. Instead of having to manage unsure relationships we can focus on the task at hand. Each member is accountable and knows what to expect from each other.

The Pinch
Pinches can occur when a new group member is introduced, goals shift, or the team is not behaving based on expectations. At this point we can try to data gather and information share to arrive to new expectations or continue as if nothing has changed with the original roles and commitments.

There is a tendency to do the latter to avoid confrontation rather than express and resolve our differences. We may have a superficial conversation and shake hands but the expectations do not change based on new information. This leads to premature reconciliation because we have not adapted to the new information. The tension of letting the issue slide can lead to a crunch

The Crunch
Disruption without readjustment leads to escalating disruption. Each pinch individually can be ignored but when all the pinches are added up it becomes a major issue. People may begin to withdraw from the group or try to come to a resolution but with high emotions. Anger builds and the relationship is damaged. Pinches are inevitable but crunches can be avoided. Dealing with pinches as they occur can stop a crunch from ever happening.

Disruptions and the unexpected are inevitable this model allows us to have a tool to mitigate it.

Read more about PINCH! From Rudolph Hirzel