Reflection – Learning Launch

(Project Initiative – Digital Waste Management)

Problem statement – Challenges

Our company is one of the leading services provider in the region for waste management services. The

business operations are carried out in a traditional manner with paper based trip sheets, signatures to be

taken after the services have been done from the customer. The trip sheet data then needs to be entered

in the back office system. Though business operations were going on, but they were not in an efficient

manner. There are data entry errors, lot of paper usage and wastage. Significant delays in accounts closing

/ billing process due to errors, relying on retrieval of information from individuals thus resulting in slower

processes, manual and duplication of work

Selection

There was a need to transform the operations services which would not only make the operations more

efficient but also automate the processes and increase transparency with the customers, speed up the

process, eliminate / reduce human errors. Make the business more agile, have reliable information, save

costs and integrate the data with the other systems. It was time for innovation and digitally transform the

way the business operates. Looking at the size of business and the investment required would be heavy,

so we decided to do hypothesis and mitigate the risk by doing an experiment,  (reference to Stefan Rco, who talks about hypothesis,  learning launch tool and small experiments); it was decided to opt for

the learning launch tool and based on the feedback / response of the related stakeholders, do a prototype

of the digital process using RFID technology. The design and development process was carried out to

develop a prototype and try it out with one customer as a small experiment.

Application

In order to make sure that the proposed solution would add value to the business and at the same time all

the key stakeholders are aligned to the concept, there was cross functional team formation done, so that

an inclusive approach is taken and we gather ideas from the various team members and their concerns.

Gathered data about the customers and to make sure the investment is not too high, since the idea was

to adapt the learning launch methodology. Business process maps were developed and documented.  RFID

technology based solution was planned to automate the process and capture the data electronically, using

RFID readers, tags and a cloud based solution which seamlessly transmits the data to the devices and is

integrated with the back office system. Regular / periodic meeting were conducted so that the envisaged

deliverables are in line with the business requirements. Assumptions tracking was closely monitored

(another example of Stefan Rco gives in his lecture about assumptions and learning launch)

Insights

By using the learning launch approach, it was time to the test the solution and since the approach was of

a prototype, the investment was limited to procure the bare minimum necessary infrastructure / devices

for few drivers, helpers, skips / bins and a couple of readers. The application / solution was deployed at

one of the customer’s place to test the functionality and get the response / feedback from the customer.

Based on the inputs received from the key stakeholders which include operations team members and

customer, necessary changes / amendments are planned (reference of Stefan Rco where he talks about

putting your idea into hypothesis, and figuring out key assumptions). This learning launch approach not

only enables in being more agile, it also enables in being smart with the investment, it helps in mitigating

risks, in prioritizing the assumptions and in continual improvement

Approach

Going forward, it is imperative, especially for investment heavy initiatives, the learning launch methodology

is adapted, to ensure that the investment is protected, in case the planned / proposed solution doesn’t

work, the loss is controlled and minimum and an alternative idea / solution can be worked upon; and if the

solution is successful then it can be comfortably rolled out and made scalable based on the business needs.

(reference Stefan Rco refers to testing , and upon successful results continue further development)

Using such a structured approach and the design thinking tools and techniques such as the learning launch

tool, innovation success ratio will significantly increase. Other tools of storytelling, visualization will also

be used in the forthcoming projects depending on the nature of the project, as these tools also provide

significant help for design thinking and implementing innovative ideas / solutions.

