Tree Planting Process
Internal process
Overview
Organization: Newton Tree Conservancy
My role: Service Designer (collaborated with NTC president)
Timeframe: 4 weeks
Summary
The Problem: Upon joining the Newton Tree Conservancy Board of Directors, I was provided this spreadsheet for various tasks leading up to tree planting day.
It was a simple excel spreadsheet but unclear as to when each task was to be completed relative to calendar dates.
Solution: After a couple iterations, I created one final visual blueprint that plotted each task and whose responsibility it was for each task.
Define the Problem
The tree planting spreadsheet timeline was too tactical, a little bit intimidating, and just confusing as to when to take what action.
Common questions I kept hearing from the NEW board members……..
What are the next steps after we receive a tree application?
Who is responsible (director or neighborhood leader) for which task?
Who digs the tree holes and when?
Ideate
A yearly calendar helps people to organize task and dates.
I wanted to plot these various tasks to see where they land on the calendar.
The timing of each task became abundantly more clear.
Prototype
From there I was able to view and evaluate each task more easily.
But I still needed to determine who was responsible for which task. I plotted each item to the front stage, back stage, and whose responsibility.
Refine
I refined the blueprint layout by condensing the Board of Director’s tasks in the top row and the Homeowner’s tasks in the bottom row.
Follow the dotted line and arrows to see the journey from beginning to end.
Test
I presented this final blueprint map to the Board of Directors at one of our monthly meetings and it was widely received with a positive response!
“Well done!” - Joe Drake, NTC President
“This is incredible, so helpful!” - Amy Englehart, NTC Director
