News and Information
Addressing Real Issues with SynNovation
Uthango explores the power of synectics in solving challenges that communities face...[ By Dorette Steenkamp on 26 May, 2007 ]
"Why jump in the hole with the problem in an attempt to understand it, if you can be on the outside without knowing it and rather provide creative solutions?" This was one of the questions posed to us at he recent SynNovation workshop outside Stellenbosch.
The exciting worlds of Innovation and Social Engineering were brought together on 24/25 May at a vibrant two-day session hosted at Onze Rust guesthouse. We were invited to join some of the top academics from the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, University of Stellenbocsch and explore the power of 'sinectics' to create solutions and action plans.
The dynamic problem-solving system, introduced by Truida Prekel and Christine Hurst, were immediately put into practice for us. We quickly discovered the unique innovation methodology and thought process behind synectics.
Some background from the founders' webpage: "Synectics began in 1960 as a spin off from the Arthur D Little invention design group. The founders George Prince and Bill Gordon became curious about why on some days they invented well and on others not so well. They studied and recorded thousands of hours of innovation sessions asking themselves the question “what is really going on between the people in the group to help them create and implement successfully?”. The answers to these questions became the now famous Synectics Creative-Problem-Solving Methodology".
The above cartoon is courtesy of the SYNNOVATION website and tells us something of the importance of reflecting on problems - and spending time with finding solutions.
The problem that Uthango took to the workshop to solve, led to a lively session: "How do we address the beaurocracy that stumps social change in communities"? We have experienced this in a great way with local government in the Western Cape when we have tried to make a difference in a community. We have indeed returned with some inspiring solutions from the beautiful Stellenbosch guest lodge.
We wish to thank all the participants and the facilitators for enhancing our creativity and adding to our toolkit of methodologies...
The exciting worlds of Innovation and Social Engineering were brought together on 24/25 May at a vibrant two-day session hosted at Onze Rust guesthouse. We were invited to join some of the top academics from the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, University of Stellenbocsch and explore the power of 'sinectics' to create solutions and action plans.
The dynamic problem-solving system, introduced by Truida Prekel and Christine Hurst, were immediately put into practice for us. We quickly discovered the unique innovation methodology and thought process behind synectics.
Some background from the founders' webpage: "Synectics began in 1960 as a spin off from the Arthur D Little invention design group. The founders George Prince and Bill Gordon became curious about why on some days they invented well and on others not so well. They studied and recorded thousands of hours of innovation sessions asking themselves the question “what is really going on between the people in the group to help them create and implement successfully?”. The answers to these questions became the now famous Synectics Creative-Problem-Solving Methodology".
The above cartoon is courtesy of the SYNNOVATION website and tells us something of the importance of reflecting on problems - and spending time with finding solutions.
The problem that Uthango took to the workshop to solve, led to a lively session: "How do we address the beaurocracy that stumps social change in communities"? We have experienced this in a great way with local government in the Western Cape when we have tried to make a difference in a community. We have indeed returned with some inspiring solutions from the beautiful Stellenbosch guest lodge.
We wish to thank all the participants and the facilitators for enhancing our creativity and adding to our toolkit of methodologies...
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