Cluster collaboration key, as latest ideas emerge from the Future Transport Innovation Incubator Program

You said that we needed to get better at cross-cluster team collaboration, and that's exactly what we've been doing as three new project teams pitched their ideas as part of the latest round of the Innovation Incubator Program.

Those of you who have heard of the incubator (and if not, where have you been??) will know that the program brings together staff from across the Transport cluster to turn their great ideas into reality.

The program up to this point has largely focused on ideas that improve things for the customer, however the focus during this round was more about improving our processes within. It’s all about working together to identify the hurdles, hoops and hold-ups slowing down our ability to deliver excellent customer service and finding the right solutions.

274 ideas were originally submitted to take part in the Incubator as part of our second, cluster-wide Future Transport Staff Challenge…and while many bright ideas shone out, four common themes formed the basis of the projects who took part in this round as chosen by the Technology Leader’s Panel - they included; Improving our hiring processes, use of our talent pool and enhancing our ability to report and track issues. Teams have had three weeks to work together on their processes before presenting back to their peers.

In a digital age where almost every service now has an app to disrupt and improve the way things are delivered, we need to deliver things quickly, efficiently and smartly to improve services for customers – and that’s what the Incubator is designed to do! At a time when teams are busier than ever, this has been an opportunity for staff members from across the cluster to get together, regardless of seniority or role type to improve the way we do things.

Christine D’ Rozario, Transport Policy Manager, Freight, Strategy and Planning is part of the project team to improve the RMS plant hire process. Participating in the process has given her a fresh perspective.

“In the Public Service, standard processes can sometimes get in the way of innovation, and the best thing about this program has been for us to look at problems through a fresh pair of eyes and come up with solutions that automate things, make it more efficient and save time. It’s really great to get different people from all walks of life in one space and work together and be more collaborative.”

Talita Brooks, Duty Manager, State Transit is on the E-List project looking to improve the use of talent pool candidates across the cluster.

“My initial response was ‘but we already use e-lists?’. I didn’t understand the concept. With the time that I’ve spent here I’ve learnt that other parts of the organisation don’t use e-lists and they don’t have them embedded into their process in the same way that State Transit does. It’s been great to work with other people from different agencies and we’ve learnt a lot.”

Jacinta Hargan, Director. Future Transport has championed the program since it began last year and says it’s all about being customer focused and agile in the way we do things to deliver better services for customers.

“The program is about developing ideas to benefit the whole cluster, not just individual areas within Transport. Participants are equipped with tools and techniques that they have learnt during the program that they can bring back into their day jobs and help their colleagues learn what we do here. It’s really exciting, we’ve already had a sponsor come forward with an interest in committing funding for our RMS Plan Hire project. It’s a first for the Program and shows just what a great initiative this is, both for us internally, and our customers.”

While four project teams participated in this round of the program, one (Visual Management Cell (VMC) was held back once we found out that a solution had already been delivered by a project team elsewhere in the orgranisation.

“That’s what makes this environment so great says Jacinta. Being agile and nimble means that we’re able to shelve projects that might have taken up time, just as quickly as creating those with solutions still to deliver.”

Stay tuned – there’s more to come

Each project will now move into the final stages of the program with a chance to receive funding to implement their idea!

Over the coming weeks we’ll be following the project teams as they go, and take a closer look at some of the key projects and outcomes as a result of the program.

Preview of the next round

Four new teams are now beginning their journey in the next round of the program. Let's meet them:

1. Visible Projects
   How might we create internal visibility on the status of big projects that are in progress?
   
   Team Members: Kevin McClain, Nittin Udupi, Ashleigh Cain
   
2. Flex Culture & Community
   How might we create the feeling of community within our activity based working locations?
   
   Team Members: Sandi Shrimski, Sabrina Rahman, Marian Parhaby
   
3. Visible teams and people
   How might we improve the visibility of people and teams within the organisation to improve collaborative working?
   
   Team Members: Suzanne Pippi, Judith Liddell, Mark Sorrenti
   
4. Knowledge Management
   How might we facilitate information sharing and troubleshooting between staff?
   
   Team Members: Sagar Kasturi, David Chieza, Catherine Reilly

If you have questions about the program email futuretransportincubator@transport.nsw.gov.au