How do you solve problems collaboratively?

Recently our Director Gary Walpole was invited to run a workshop at the 2019 Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW) Innovation Event. The annual event aims to encourage the sector to work together to develop new solutions and ways of working to meet the challenges of the sector.

Gary ran a workshop with delegates using the ORID model (Objective, Reflective, Interpretive, and Decisional) for collaborative problem solving. The tool has been used previously by delegates from DCWW and Bridgend Ford on the Swansea University Developing Innovation Performance Programme (DIP), which Gary also runs.

The ORID model follows a structured process to engage all members of a group to understand and develop solutions to an articulated problem. The model enables members of a group to develop a common understanding of a problem, develop ideas around potential solutions and then discuss the potential solutions before ranking the proposed solutions. When led by an experienced facilitator, those involved are supported to co-create collaborative solutions and agree on solutions that can be tried immediately and others that can be explored further by members of the group. 

Workshop delegates were encouraged to use the model to work through current issues that DCWW have. DCWW intend to take the suggested solutions developed by the groups and investigate their applicability. A fantastic practical example of open innovation!

The workshop was a great example of applying learning from the DIP programme. DCWW employees that took part in the programme helped to facilitate the workshop and therefore developed their ability to use the model and built confidence around innovation management. Secondly, the conference delegates were mostly suppliers of DCWW, therefore enhancing the innovation capabilities of the supply chain. Feedback from delegates suggests that the intra-organisation innovation community of practice that DCWW has developed, through taking part in DIP, has developed their innovation management skills. This in turn has enabled them to look to develop an inter-organisation innovation community of practice which should drive productivity gains through innovation in their supply chain and enhance their absorptive capacity.

A huge thank you to DCWW and everyone who took part in the workshop, we hope everyone enjoyed the session.