Reflections on a Quarter of a Complex Shipping Design Project
The shipping industry has a significant role in sustainability and creating a better future for the planet. That's one of the reasons I'm taking on the challenge of designing solutions that cater to everyone's needs in this complex and vast system.
As I move forward with this project, I need to be more flexible in my schedule to uncover things that I haven't thought about. I welcome any suggestions for people to talk to in the stakeholder section or more insights into how the industry affects the world.
Designing for complexity in the shipping industry takes work, but I'm excited about the challenge.
Progress Update
I started this project to design for complexity and system-oriented design. Along the way, I've been reading about human factors and the chartering side of shipping, with which I have little experience. Using sustainability drives is a possible way to facilitate change in the industry.
I'm a few days behind where I had hoped to be. Soon, I'll talk about how the ocean industries affect the world and the dependencies for what the industry needs to deliver. In part four, I'll be focusing on the stakeholders.
Knowledge Gaps
As I reflect on my journey so far, I realize there's still so much ground to cover. There are many things that I haven't talked about, such as:
- Different flag states
- Inspection bodies
- Incident reporting
- Class
- Chartering and brokerage
- Tugs
- Ports
The shipping industry is vast, and there's so much to consider. However, I'm grateful for the chance to look at the industry more holistically. It's interesting to see how commercial pressure shapes the industry, and we can use this pressure to shape the industry differently. Despite the knowledge gaps, I'm determined to see this project through. Blending the segments to some extent while creating an industry map and personas for stakeholders and their needs is the best approach. By framing the problem landscape first, I can ideate and prototype solutions catering to as wide a swath of needs as possible.
Next Steps
One area that I need more knowledge on is chartering and brokerage. Sustainability drives are a possible way to facilitate change in the industry. By understanding how commercial pressure shapes the industry, I plan to create solutions that shape the industry differently.
As I move forward with this project, I need to be more flexible in my schedule so that I have time to uncover things I haven't thought about. If you have any suggestions for people I should talk to in the stakeholder section or have more insights into how the industry affects the world, I'd be happy to hear them.
Overall, I'm a quarter of the way through this project, and I've covered a lot of ground, but there's even more to cover. I'm excited to continue this journey and see where it takes me.
Conclusion
Designing for complexity in the shipping industry is challenging, but I'm determined to see it through. Through this project, I hope to shed some light on the industry's complexities and how we can design for a better future. Thank you for taking the time to follow my journey.
