unit 7: design solutions - i-become activguide solution_ed2_v2r1.pdf · design solutions unit 7:...

Design SolutionsUNIT 7:

Swami Vivekananda

Contributor Personality Program

An Group Initiative

by

for students and faculty of Gujarat Technological University

University Servicesi-become

JULY 2012 BATCH

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COPYRIGHT DECLARATION

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Contributors approach the various situations in their life and

workplace with a unique mindset. This mindset we call, the

‘Contributor Mindset’.

The first aspect of the Contributor Mindset is the Contributor’s

willingness and capacity to find solutions.

When faced with a challenge, the Contributor’s first response

is : “Can we find a solution?” This is unlike a Non-contributor

who may respond to the challenge by trying a little and giving

up, blaming others, or finding excuses to cover up the issue.

But this is not all. The Contributor also finds a solution. In

other words, the Contributor develops the capacity to find

solutions through continuous practice and learning from other

Contributors.

7.1 Exploring how to practice “designing solutions” pg. 2-5

7.2 Workplace application 1 pg. 6

7.3 Workplace application 2 pg. 7

7.4 Workplace application 3 pg. 8-9

7.5 Project Work pg. 10

What you can do next pg. 11

Swami Vivekananda speaks to you: Stand on your own feet pg. 12-13

UNIT 7:

Developing a Contributor Personality

Design Solutions[Contributor Practice 1]

UNIT 7: DESIGN SOLUTIONS

© JULY 2012 EDITION; ILLUMINE KNOWLEDGE RESOURCES PVT LTD; ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. DEVELOPED BY ILLUMINE FOR THE I-BECOME INITIATIVE

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This Non-contributor Administrator only follows the rules and set procedures given to him. So when situations come up that are different from the usual, he is unable to handle them, does not know what to do and refuses to do anything about them. He does not care whether the goal is met or not – as long as he is safely within the rules.

When asked to do something, this Non-contributor Team Member first thinks of all the objections, obstacles, and challenges that will come up that will prevent that project or task from succeeding. He is always thinking of why it is too difficult to succeed. And when things go wrong he says “I told you so”. Result – he is a negative force within the team. Not only is he demotivated, but he also demotivates others and prevents them from accomplishing anything.

This Non-contributor Financial Adviser sees only the obvious or known options that are regularly being used by him and others. Even if someone else comes up with a new alternative, he does not want to consider it. Result - his advice to clients is limited and does not fully meet their needs.

This Contributor Administrator is focused on the goal that needs to be achieved in the situation and he wants to achieve that goal. So he takes the effort to find an appropriate way to achieve that goal without breaking the rules.

When asked to do something, this Contributor Team Member says “why not?” He accepts the goal upfront and then keeps finding solutions as challenges come up on the way to achieving that goal. He brings a “can-do” spirit into anything the team takes up. Result – he is a positive force within the team and others are inspired by him to find answers to get to the goal.

This Contributor Financial Adviser looks for alternatives, generates and tries out unusual ideas, goes deeper to innovate and find a completely different solution that is “right” for the case in hand. Result – his clients are happy with his advice because it perfectly matches their needs.

continued ...

Study the following examples

2.

3.

The Non-contributor Financial Adviser who sees only problems and not solutions

The Non-contributor Team Member who sees only problems and not solutions

1. The Non-contributor Administrator who sees only problems and not solutions

The Contributor Administrator who sees solutions and not problems

The Contributor Financial Adviser who sees solutions and not problems

The Contributor Team Member who sees solutions and not problems

I don’t care if we don’t complete on time or the quality is not good!

I follow strict procedures…It has to be done this way!

Let us find a way to achieve the goal…

We have only two options. We must choose one of these.

There is no other way.

There are two obvious options… but can we find a third way that

combines the best of both choices?

Can this be done? How is it possible sir? Even if we want to do it, there are too many difficulties…But…But…But…But…

Can this be done?Why not?! Let us find

a way to do it…

Non-contributors see problems not solutions. Contributors see solutions not problems.

? ?

7.1 Exploring how to practice “designing solutions”[CONCEPT EXPLORATION]

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA CONTRIBUTOR PERSONALITY PROGRAM FOR GTU – JULY 2012 BATCH


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... continued

This Non-contributor Entrepreneur is afraid of taking up any new venture because of the risks involved. Thus he ends up being too conservative in his business decisions and his business does not grow.

This Contributor Entrepreneur actively reduces the risks involved in any new venture by experimenting and trying out on a small scale – then if it works, he takes it to a larger scale; if it doesn’t work, he either improves and retries or he learns from the mistakes to move on. Thus his business keeps growing.

Group Worksheet 7.1:Similarly (as shown in examples 1-4 above), imagine the following situations to visualize how the contributors (who see solutions and not problems) would respond differently from the non-contributors shown (who see problems and not solutions). Discuss to fill in.

1. It is the last day for submitting application forms. Mahesh has brought all required

documents. However, when Mahesh submits the form to the clerk…

One thing I can learn to practice, to “design solutions” in any challenging situation, in the way a Contributor does –

continued ...

The Non-contributor Clerk’s response… What is the Contributor Clerk’s response?

4. The Non-contributor Entrepreneur who sees only problems and not solutions

The Contributor Entrepreneur who sees solutions and not problems

But sir! Can’t you help me find a solution? I will miss my admissions if I can’t submit this form!

I am sorry the size of your photograph is not as per the stated requirement in our rules… I

cannot accept your form!

What if I fail?I will lose

confidence.

I can’t even imagine the consequences.

What will happen to my image?

This is a challenge…why not try it out?

Failure will become a stepping stone to success.

Whether there is success or failure, I will become stronger

and wiser through the experiment.

This experience will help us improve the project/

product.

I am sorry! Rules are rules… I am only doing my duty…

[Imagine and fill in…]



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... continued

2. For this year’s science exhibition, the science teacher, as usual, assigns 3 projects and asks students to make models for the given projects to display. However, Priya has been working for a long time on the design of a cooling device that can run without electricity. So she decides to present it at the science exhibition instead.

3. Axel Computing, an upcoming firm, has managed to get a very big client. However, the client’s condition is that the project is to be bug-free and completed within an almost impossible deadline. The Axel team knows that success will mean big future business opportunities – however, if they fail it will ruin their reputation in the market and they will lose a lot of business.

continued ...

The Non-contributor Science Teacher’s response…

The Non-contributor Development Team’s response…

What is the Contributor Science Teacher’s response?

What is the Contributor Development Team’s response?

[Imagine and fill in…]I had told you to build a model for any 1 of the 3 projects! What you have done is out of the syllabus! What a useless model you have built!

Why can’t you students do things in the way they are

supposed to be done?

It is not practical!

We don’t have enough of staff… our machines also don’t support all latest

technologies… programming itself will take at least 4 weeks forget about the

testing… how is it possible to ever complete this project in

this short time?






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4. Mohan is an engineer with the Public Works Department. He has been assigned to supervise the building of a new bridge. This is the first time he is handling such a big responsibility. He reads about a new better quality technology (tried and tested in Germany), that could reduce project costs by almost half.

... continued

Reflection: People who “see solutions not problems” in any situation, are highly valued in the work place. Why do you think this is so?

Mohan’s response as a Non-contributor Engineer… What would be Mohan’s response as a Contributor

Engineer?

Explore more on what it means to become a person who finds solutions in the face of challenges, on the i-become

AND MORE ...

C1: What is the contributor’s approach in “designing solutions”?

C3: Why to Why notC2: To begin designing solutions, first define a purpose – a contributive purpose

[Log into your account on http://gtu.ibecome.in/ and select Unit 7: Designing Solutions Foundation Concept Exploration]

It is safer to keep quiet and do things in the same old way… what if something goes wrong with this

technology? Then it will all fall on my head…

Moreover, getting a new project passed in this bureaucratic department is too

risky… my reputation is also at

stake!





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In 1968, Dr. Spencer Silver, a chemist with 3M, in his attempt to develop a ‘strong adhesive’ managed to develop only a ‘weak adhesive’. Dr. Spencer, instead of being embarrassed of his discovery, shared it with his co-workers, to find a use for it. For 5 years he promoted it within 3M, but without much success.

In 1974, a colleague of his, Art Fry, who had attended one of his seminars, found a use of this weak adhesive – as bookmarks! After investing one more year in product development, Fry was able to come up with the first version of what is now known as ‘Post-it’.

Dr. Spencer Silver

Art Fry

1977: 3m Launches the product in 4 cities, the response is disappointing.

1978: 3m issues free sampLes. 95% of peopLe using them said they wouLd buy it.

1980: 3m debuted in us stores as “post-it notes.”

1981: post-its are Launched in canada & europe.

Post-its went on to become a huge world success.

Story of the ‘Post-it’

If I had thought about it, I wouldn’t have done the experiment. The literature was full

of examples that said, “you can’t do this”.

My mind was drifting back to music when I got that flash of an idea. Eureka! I think I can make book marks

by applying Dr. Spencer’s adhesive, so they can be stuck on and peeled off without spoiling the book.

Group Worksheet 7.2:Write of 3 things you can learn from Dr. Spencer Silver and Art Fry, about the way in which “solution designers” think.

(For example: Despite failure, rather than giving up, trying out alternative applications that may work)

7.2 Workplace application 1[CONCEPT APPLICATION]

CASE STORY



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Preventing Accidental Deaths

Group Worksheet 7.3:As a doctor, the usual goal Dr. Venkat could have seen for himself is “cure patients”. However, from what happens in this story, we get to know that he defined his goal differently. How do you think Dr. Venkat defined his goal, that led him to finding this solution?

What “practices or approaches” can you learn from Dr. Venkat’s way of thinking, that will help you become a better “solution designer”?

Dr. Venkat was receiving many road accident cases in his hospital. These accidents were happening about a kilometer’s distance from his hospital.

1

One more accidental death.

Though he tried all medical measures to save the victims, there were still

a high number of deaths.

2

Dr. Venkat studied the factors affecting the severity of accidents, to diagnose the causes.

3

The number of accidents came down drastically.

The road outside his hospital did not have a road divider. Having identified a root-

cause, Dr. Venkat worked closely with the Traffic Police to get a divider installed.

4

I don’t think we have an answer to this situation in the hospital.

When vehicles coming from opposite directions collide, then the accidents are

bad. Most cases here are due to this.

Too many road accidents are happening here. So

many deaths...

[Adapted from a true case story]


STORY



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Nikhil, a computer engineer, was on a visit to his village. He was distressed to see the people of his village being squeezed by middle-men. The farmers were not getting fair price for their produce.

To get started, Nikhil passed the word around in the village, calling for a meeting of all farmers. However…

Nikhil regrouped energies and readied himself for a long struggle. He began meeting farmers regularly – individually and in groups. He also met some of the middlemen and shared with them ways in which they could benefit from and support this effort. Seeing his persistence, more villagers joined in. They ran a pilot with 10 farmers using the technology to get connected to the mandi [market place]. These 10 farmers then became advocates to other farmers in the village. The movement caught on… more and more people got involved...

Three years later, not only were most of the farmers in that village using this technology, but neighboring villages had also begun replicating it.

Other than the local coordinator, no one turned up

for the meeting.

Moreover, the middle-men didn’t take the matter

lightly.

Nikhil was excited! He didn’t think this would be too hard as he was a computer engineer! Thinking this was a great idea at hand, he

worked out a complete business plan.

Why can’t we connect farmers to the market-

place directly, using technology? That will

eliminate the influence of middlemen on

them.

This is terrible! Nothing can be done here! I am better off back in my

corporate job!

No! If I don’t make this vision happen for my people, then who will?? It’s not

going to be easy – but I can & must find a solution!


STORY



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Group Worksheet 7.4:

In the workplace, any project journey is never going to be easy and smooth. Challenges are always going to be there.

1. Learning from Nikhil’s attitude and way of thinking in this case story, write down 2 “practices or approaches” that you would want to follow in any project you take up in the future – that will help you respond positively to such challenging situations by finding solutions.

2. Think of some project that you or someone you know took up, that got stuck / stopped because of some challenge(s). Answer the following about the project –

What was the project goal?

What happened in the project journey? Why did the project get stuck? What were the challenges?

Who were all the key people involved in the project?

Brainstorm to imagine how each of these key people could respond differently, if they adopted the thinking of a contributor who is keen to find solutions to overcome challenges and accomplish the goal.



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Field Work

7.5 Project Work

Project Goal: To identify how people (contributors) have found solutions to challenges they have faced, and how they practiced “designing solutions”.

STEP 1: Identify any one “contributor” case where there was a challenge and the people involved designed solutions to face and address the challenge. This case could be about –

l An incident or project you or someone you know has been part of. l A public case or incident that you may have read / heard about (in newspapers / public

knowledge).

STEP 2: Decide how you are going to present your project. As a –

• Home-videoproject(recordingavideoofinterviewsetc.tomakeashort-filmonthecase),OR

• Slidepresentation(withphotographs,factualdata,insights,sound/music,etc.),OR

• Posterpresentation(withphotographs,factualdata,insights,etc.)

STEP 3: Do a research study to collect data (video, photographs, data, etc.) for your project presentation. Your research can include –

• Primaryresearchdonebyinterviewingthepeopleinvolved/beneficiariesinthiscase.

• Secondaryresearchdonebyusingtheinternet,goingthroughnewspapersandmagazines,talkingto experienced people who know this case well.

In your research study, find out –

• Whatwasthemainchallenge?Howdidthepeopleinvolveddefinetheirgoal?

• Howdidthepeopleinvolvedgoaboutfindingasolutiontothischallenge?

• Inthiscase,findoutspecificexamples/incidentsfromthisexperiencethatshowushowthepeopleinvolved practiced “designing solutions”, i.e. how they –

– Stayed focused on the goals and found appropriate methods to achieve these goals (within the framework of the system / rules)

– Considered new / alternate possibilities in their thinking

– Demonstrated a “can-do” attitude

– Overcame their “fear of failure”

STEP 4: Make your final presentation.

STEP 5: Present in the class.

OR do the above project (using the same 5 steps as a guideline) for any one of the true case stories on i-become

[Log into your account on http://gtu.ibecome.in/ and select Unit 7: Design Solutions Foundation Concept Applications]

A1: How Rob McEwen found a way to get the best brains to work together to find a solution

to his company’s challenge

A2: How Philip, an Engineer, did a plant erection within an almost impossible deadline,

with a can-do attitude

A3: How Aravind Hospitals made affordable eye-care

accessible to the rural population of India

A4: How the Sternins (scholars from Tufts University) found a

way to deal with the malnutrition challenge in Vietnam’s villages

NOTE: Don’t just present these clips directly. Instead, study the contributor’s approach in the chosen clip, and then answer the questions given in Step 3 above. Compile your answers to build your presentation.



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What you can do next:

Practice for Examinations on i-become

• Dothequizzesandpracticeteststogetanideaofwhattoexpectintheexamination.

• Toaccessthese– – Log into your ActivGuide account on http://gtu.ibecome.in/ – Select Unit 7: Design Solutions Exam Revision

Attend the Contributor Classroom for Unit 7 (on Facebook )

• AnonlinediscussionsessionwillbeconductedforUnit7,intheContributorClassroom,toexplorethe practice of “designing solutions”.

• JoinstudentsandfacultyfromacrossGTUaswediscussthistopic.

• Toparticipate–

– Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/CPP.July2012/

– Log in with your own Facebook account (if you don’t have one already, create new)

– Click on “join group” button to join the Contributor Classroom

– Once the group moderator approves, you can attend these discussions

– Make sure you register early enough so that you don’t miss these sessions

• Toknowtheschedulesforthis,checkyouremail/thei-becomeFacebookpage https://www.facebook.com/ibecomeInitiative



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“

“

Does higher education mean mere study of material sciences and turning out things of everyday use by machinery? The use of higher education is to find out how to solve the problems of life, and this is what is engaging the profound thought of the modern civilised world, but it was solved in our country thousands of years ago. The education which does not help the common mass of people to equip themselves for the struggle for life, which does not bring out strength of character, a spirit of philanthropy, and the courage of a lion – is it worth the name? Real education is that which enables one to stand on one’s own legs. The education that you are receiving now in schools and colleges is only making you a race of dyspeptics. You are working like machines merely, and living a jelly-fish existence.

We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded and by which one can stand on one’s own feet. Physical weakness is the cause of at least one-third of our miseries. We are lazy; we cannot combine. We speak of many things parrot-like but never do them. Speaking and not doing has become a habit with us. What is the cause? Physical weakness. This sort of weak brain is not being able to do anything. We must strengthen it. First of all our young men must be strong, my young friends, that is my advice to you. You will be nearer to Heaven through football than through the study of the Gita. You will understand Gita better with your biceps, your muscles, a little stronger.

Stand on your own feet

Contributors do not depend on others to give them “aid”. They take up the challenges in front of them and develop their own solutions to these challenges.

“Ay, in this country of ours, the very birth-place of the Vedanta, our masses have been hypnotised for ages into that state. To touch them is pollution, to sit with them is pollution! Hopeless they were born, hopeless they must remain! And the result is that they have been sinking, sinking, sinking, and have come to the last stage to which a human being can come. For what country is there in the world where man has to sleep with the cattle? And for this, blame nobody else, do not commit the mistake of the ignorant. The effect is here and the cause is here too. We are to blame. Stand up, be bold, and take the blame on your own shoulders.

Swami Vivekananda speaks to you



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“

“

A nation is advanced in proportion as education and intelligence spread among the masses. The chief cause of India’s ruin has been the monopolizing of the whole education and intelligence of the land, by dint of pride and royal authority, among a handful of men. If we are to rise again, we shall have to do it in the same way, i.e. by spreading education among the masses. All the wealth of the world cannot help one little Indian village if the people are not taught to help themselves.

Within man is all knowledge, and it requires only an awakening, and that much is the work of the teacher.

Swami Vivekananda at Junagadh – 3

In Junagadh, sometime in 1892, Swami Vivekananda

also came in contact with Chhaganlal H. Pandya

(b.1859, d.1936) of Nadiad, a great scholar,

educationist and well known in Gujarat’s literary world

as translator of Sanskrit classics like Kadambari.

He was deeply impressed by Swami Vivekananda’s

personality and in the introduction to his book

Christnu Anukaran, a Gujarati translation of The

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas A Kempis, published in

1915, Pandya gives a wonderful account of the days

he spent in Swami Vivekananda’s holy company.

Chhaganlal Pandya also gave a vivid description of

how Swami Vivekananda charmed and influenced

everybody by his spirituality, his catholicity of views,

his simplicity of life, his proficiency in music and

profound knowledge of various arts and sciences, his

stirring eloquence and not the least by his proficiency

in the art of cuisine.

Source: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda (Published by Advaita Ashrama, 5 Dehi Entally Road, Kolkata 14, India)

Source: Shri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Rajkot, website (www.rkmrajkot.org)

The material in this workbook is meant to be studied along with the material available at gtu.ibecome.in

You will find videos, concept presentations, quizzes to improve your understanding of the topic.

Workbook printed from I-Become ActivGuide

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