Problem Solving Skills, The Starting Point For Innovation!
On 16 September participants of the Southern Gauteng Regional Innovation Forum (SGRIF) presented their problem solving projects at the VUT Southern Gauteng Technology and Science Park. Participants came from industry, local government and university and they have been mastering a problem solving methodology over the past 3 months.
Clotan Steel, a progressive privately owned manufacturer of roof sheeting, opened their doors to the participants. The Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) guided training and let participants learn by applying the problem solving methodology to real manufacturing problems identified by the hosting company.
Problem solving is often the starting point for innovative thinking. Consider the impact of a manufacturing region known for its innovative problem solving capabilities! It is envisaged that the problem solving methodology taught during the workshop will be adopted by the participating companies and the Vaal region as a whole, thereby making the manufacturing industry in the region more competitive.
Participants graduated by presenting projects from their workplaces on Tuesday 16 September. They made stunning and significant improvements to their working environments!
Lessons learnt from this hands-on-training method amongst others were: “I learnt to step back and look at the problem from a 3rd party perspective. This ensures that you deal with industrial blindness” Jordaan Jacobs, DCD Ringrollers. “Never make assumptions by coming up with the solution before taking the time to analyse the problem”, David Mauchline, VUT. “The training allowed me to get rid of my tunnel vision, to think broader and wider”, Erika van der Walt, Emfuleni Municipality. “I realised the true value of cross-functional teams when solving a problem. The different perspectives allows for a more innovative way to solve industrial problems”, Can-See Masilela, DCD Ringrollers.
The true value of the training for the region was summarised by the representative of the hosting company, Danie Joubert from Clotan Steel when he said; “This was a dream come true to see how different role players of the region could come together around problems identified. I love Africa, it is a place where people tend to be able to make something from nothing. Being part of this practical training exercise gave me hope of our region and country”.
If you would like more information regarding the problem solving training or the SGRIF activities please contact Adrie El Mohamadi at adrie@sgrif.co.za or 082 902 4083 or alternatively go to the SGRIF website at: www.sgrif.co.za
About the Southern Gauteng Regional Innovation Forum
The Southern Gauteng Regional Innovation Forum (SGRIF) is a catalyst for economic growth through innovation by partnering with business, government, academia and civil society to foster collaboration around the use of natural recourses, technologies, service delivery, human talent, capital and the entrepreneurial spirit.
The vision of the SGRIF is to help the Vaal region blossom into the most innovative manufacturing region in South Africa, with the help of visionary leaders of the region from business, government, academia and civil society.