Problem Solving - Start to End

Since this weekend Christians celebrate the death and rebirth of Christ, and thus the beginning of the Christian religion, I was prompted to create the graphic below. Imagine that you were one of the 12 Disciples and you were in a planning meeting where someone said "What was it that Christ wanted to accomplish?" Another might have said, "What do we know of this problem and what ways might we spread this vision to people throughout the world?" Another might have said, "Where will be two thousand years from now, and how will we know if we have achieved what we set out to do?

We have many problems in the world of 2012 and many different people in different places working to solve those problems. However, where can we find web sites that describe each problem, along with the strategies, steps and timelines that would lead to a solution. And how is that solution defined or described?

Yesterday I was introduced to a web site of a group titled Data Without Borders. I encourage you to view the video on the home page, which describes how data can help us define and understand problems and how data scientist might volunteer time and talent to help organizations with limited resources and talent apply these skills.

The graphic I've posted shows a need for all sorts of data collection, organization, visualization, analysis, and sharing. I've piloted some efforts with mapping, which you can see in the Tutor/Mentor Program Locator. I've piloted some efforts at network analysis, which you can see in this blog and this group. I've even piloted a platform where many people could document their actions over a period of years. I've piloted the use of concept maps to organize and share information.

However, there is much more that needs to be done and much more talent and time that needs to be invested in just building a platform to support the collective effort of many people working to help kids entering first grade today in poverty neighborhoods of Chicago and the world be starting jobs and careers out of poverty by their mid 20s.