‘Innovation Circles in theConstruction Knowledge Exchange

North West ’

Veronica JonesCKE North West Research

Fellowv.c.jones@salford.ac.uk

• Provides a practical method of solving ‘real business issues’

• Typically between 6 to 8 people– Focus of action determined by

practitioners (individual or collective)

– Supported by facilitator– Accountability to take action and

learn from it

What is an Innovation What is an Innovation CircleCircle

• Individual enterprises of different sizes, working collaboratively to improve collective performance

• Project teams• Experts from different business

organisations• Members of professional development

groups to share and develop best practice

• Uses an Action Learning Methodology

Who benefits?Who benefits?

ACTION LEARNING

• Action Learning is a method for individual and organisational development.

• It involves working in small groups (sets) of 6-8 people, where they tackle important organisational issues or problems. • As a result of this, they learn from their attempts to change things.

• It brings people together to exchange, support and challenge each other in seeking to act and learn.

HOW ACTION LEARNING WORKS

1. Each set member joins and takes part voluntarily

2. Each must own a managerial or organisational problem on which they want to act

3. Set members meet to help each other think through the issues, create options and above all…

4. Take action and learn from the effects of that action

5. Action Learning can be viewed as a powerful triangulation of three distinguishable learning experiences.

Action Learning: Reflective Action Learning: Reflective CycleCycle

Reflection

Experience

Making sense

Action Planning

INNOVATION CIRCLES IN THE NORTH WEST

• Regional CE Clubs• North Manchester SME Group• Women in Construction (Lancaster, Leyland

and East Lancs)• CITB Training Plan, Employer Network Forum

and Diversity Groups• Housing Developer Researching MMM• Collaborative Working Learning Group • Intelligent Building Technology Group

N ManchesterCE Club

1 Club Group 1 SME Group

UCLANC&T Building

CheshireCE Club

1 Club Group

LancashireCE Club

1 Club Group

CITB6 Training Plan Groups

1 Employer Network Forum1 Diversity Group3 Further Groups

CITB Cumbria Group

SCRI/ResearchHouse builder MMC

Avanti GroupHoneywell Group

Women inConstruction Groups

LeylandLancaster

East Lancs

Staff DevelopmentProject Co-ordinator

Action Learning

Examples of Issues Discussed• Recruitment• Marketing• Training Plans• Investors in People• Employment Contract Law (ACAS)• Appraisal Systems• Partnering• Off Site Manufacturing• Lean Manufacturing• Health and Safety• Insurance

Create the opportunity for individuals:

– To meet and network with like minded people (joint events)

– To share ideas and learn from each other

– To also learn from construction industry experts on for example tax issues (CIS), health & safety, employment legislation

– Personal development and confidence

Women in Construction Groups

CITB Groups• Businesses work with CITB

Construction Skills to produce training plan matrix

• Obtain grants for training• Employer Network Forum discusses

Management and Leadership issues in relation to the new Investors in People standard

• Diversity in Construction Group

Summary Innovation Circles in the Construction

Knowledge Exchange:• Builds up relationship between business and

academia• Develops relationship between academia and

partners in the CKE• Creates a “safe” environment for sharing of

ideas• Helps organisations adapt to change• Gives participants time to reflect• Additional support when requested• Help organisations take action and learn from it