IW:LEARNTDA/SAP Training Course

Module 3: Developing the SAP

Section 5: Brainstorming Innovative Ideas, Opportunities and Solutions

+Where are we?

Defining the Vision

Setting goals or status

statements

Brainstorming innovative

ideas

Identifying options or

alternatives

+In this Section you will learn about….

What do we mean by Innovation?

What is brainstorming?

Process for brainstorming innovative ideas, opportunities and solutions

Advice from the field

+What do we mean by innovation?

Any kind of change introduced to a system, regardless of whether it’s a new thing

Could include new policies, projects, programmes, technologies, attitudes etc.

Based on a combination of criteria, such as expected reduction in the impact of the transboundary problems, chances of success, and capacity to sustain the change over the longer term

+What do we mean by innovation?

The purpose of this step in the strategic thinking phase is to brainstorm potential

innovative ideas and opportunities that will target the leverage points, help achieve the

goals, and reduce the impact of each transboundary problem.

+What is brainstorming?

Thee rapid generation and listing of solution ideas without clarification and without evaluation of their merits

Works best with a varied group of people from a range of disciplines and have different backgrounds

Requires a facilitator, a relaxed environment and something on which to write ideas, such as a white-board or a flip chart.

+Brainstorming Guidelines

Defer judgment

Build on each others

ideas

Encourage each other

Go for quantity -

accept everything!

Encourage all ideas -

anything is possible

Avoid linking

names to ideas

+Process for brainstorming innovative ideas, opportunities and solutions….

….that target the leverage points and meet the vision and goals

They could be: innovative “new” ideas Defined as solutions or

interventions “Old” ideas – but with

a new focus

The point is to be as creative as possible during this step

Critical analysis of the proposed ideas or opportunities comes later.

+

….is key to brainstormingand an integral part ofany strategic planning

process

Often limited available resources

Helps to identify which innovative ideas or

opportunities should be considered further

Prioritisation….

+Process for Brainstorming Ideas

Step 1: Identification of innovative ideas and opportunities that target the leverage points and meet the identified vision and goals

Step 2: Prioritising Options or Alternatives: Selection of ideas, opportunities or solutions that best meet the needs and realities of the region

+Step 1: Identification of innovative ideas and opportunities

This step can also be successfully be accomplished through a collaborative workshop involving the SAP Development team and supplemented with additional specialists

The workshop can be run during the same meeting that the Vision and goals are identified or during a separate meeting

+Step 2: Identifying Options or Alternatives

The purpose of this step is to identify the ideas, opportunities or solutions that best meet the needs and realities of the region

The outcome will be an table of prioritised alternative ideas, opportunities or solutions that will provide the basis for more detailed in-country consultations and discussions on options or alternatives

+

….is key to brainstormingand an integral part ofany strategic planning

process

Often limited available resources

Helps to identify which innovative ideas or

opportunities should be considered further

Prioritisation….

+Step 2: Identifying Options or Alternatives

The purpose of this step is to identify the ideas, opportunities or solutions that best meet the needs and realities of the region

The outcome will be an table of prioritised alternative ideas, opportunities or solutions that will provide the basis for more detailed in-country consultations and discussions on options or alternatives

This will be discussed in more detail in the next section

+Advice from the Field

Planning is everything. Make sure you and key SAP development team members are familiar with the process before you deliver it.

You will need to set some ground rules before beginning any effective brainstorming session. However, you must be careful not to set the rules so tight that you stifle creativity.

Brainstorming is more than putting people into a room and talking about ideas. You will need to ensure that the discussion focuses in the right direction while supporting a free flow of ideas.

It is not the tool you will use to determine the best solution. Your goal for a brainstorming session is to get as many ideas as possible out in the open. Discussion and analysing these ideas will come later.

+Group Exercise

In groups of 5:

Brainstorm innovative ideas based on: The leverage points The vision The goals

Remember the ‘golden rules of brainstorming’

Timing: 40 minutes

+Golden Rules of Brainstorming

Defer judgment

Build on each others

ideas

Encourage each other

Go for quantity -

accept everything!

Encourage all ideas - anything is

possible

Avoid linking names to

ideas

+Group Exercise

In groups of 5:

Brainstorm innovative ideas based on: The leverage points The vision The goals

Remember the ‘golden rules of brainstorming’

Timing: 40 minutes