Inholland | Vision Development Smart Campus

The goal is to put the vision of the “smart campus” clearly on paper and to communicate it effectively to all campuses. The foundation for this vision was already laid in several sessions, where important insights were collected. Now it is time to integrate these insights and turn them into a coherent story.

Our approach

To tackle this challenge, we set up a structured process consisting of three sessions. The aim is to co‑create a visual overview (praatplaat) that presents the vision of the smart campus in a visual and easily understandable way. This process is not only focused on creating an end product, but also on involving all stakeholders and ensuring broad support across the organization. The process looked like this:

• Session 1 – Setting the framework and gathering information on the smart campus vision

• Session 2 – Visualizing the smart campus content into a first conceptual sketch

• Session 3 – Presenting the concept, collecting feedback, and working it in

Session 1: Creating a shared understanding

The first session is crucial for laying a solid foundation. We began by setting the frames and gathering information about the vision of the smart campus. We did this in seven steps, applying various methods and models to structure and clarify the content.

Step 1: Intake Canvas

In this first step, we use a self‑developed intake canvas. This tool helps us to frame the content and the desired outcome. We investigate what lies “behind the question” and which specific needs exist within Inholland. This ensures that we start with the right focus.

Step 2: Golden Circle (Simon Sinek)

Next, we apply Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle model. This model helps us to separate the already‑gained information on a more abstract level. We start with a pre‑filled canvas, refine it together with the group, and then distill the ‘why’, ‘how’, and ‘what’. This structure enables us to frame the information better and to bring out the essence of the vision clearly.

Step 3: Mission Statement

In this step, we challenge the participants to formulate a mission statement in small groups. This is a powerful sentence or a set of words that captures the core of the vision. We discuss examples of successful mission statements from other organizations, such as Philips and Nike, to provide inspiration. The aim is to reach a shared formulation that reflects the vision of the smart campus—and to force ourselves to express the core in a strong and concise way.

Step 4: Customer Journey

We create a customer journey by walking through an ideal day in the life of both a student and a staff member. This helps us understand which experiences they have and how these connect to the vision of the smart campus. By mapping these experiences visually, we gain a clearer picture of the impact the smart campus has on its users.

Step 5: Value Proposition Canvas

Using the Value Proposition Canvas, we zoom in on the needs of Inholland, its staff, and its users. We explore what makes them happy and where they struggle. This helps us check whether the solutions we design truly match the problems we aim to solve.

Step 6: Metaphors (optional)

Metaphors can be a powerful tool to clarify complex ideas. In this step, we explore which metaphors might help explain the vision of the smart campus. This can ease communication and increase engagement among staff and students.

Step 7: What is it not?

A crucial part of the process is clarifying what the vision is not. We use a “parking flap” to keep track, at every step, of aspects we do not want to include. This helps preserve focus and prevents us from drifting away from the core of the vision.

After completing these steps, we were able to begin writing a one‑pager that presents the vision in a concise way. This document formed the core for the follow‑up stages.

Session 2: Visualizing the content into a first sketch

In the second session, we started turning the content into visuals. Based on the information and insights gathered in the first session, we began drafting a first sketch of the visual overview (praatplaat). This is a creative process in which we give visual form to the ideas and concepts.

We use the participants’ input to visualize various elements of the smart campus. This may range from icons and symbols to colors and shapes that support the vision. The aim is to create a visual representation that is not only informative, but also inspiring and engaging.

Session 3: Presenting the concept and working in feedback

In the third and final session, we presented the concept of the visual overview to the participants. This is an important moment, because we collected feedback and discussed how the concept could be further improved. We encouraged open communication, so that everyone could share their ideas and suggestions.

After gathering the feedback, we incorporated it into the final version of the visual overview. This ensures that the vision of the smart campus is not only the product of our team, but also of the input and involvement of all stakeholders.

Result: Interactive visual overview

In addition to the written smart campus vision, we also built an online environment. In this interactive setting, the visual overview is explained in line with the vision. It was shared with colleagues to sharpen the story, and that feedback was integrated into the final version, which is now being shared and implemented with all campuses.

In this interactive environment, you are guided step by step through the different parts of the vision.

Click here to view the full online environment!