NederlandsThe services of NedTrain range from small maintenance to comprehensive service inspections and modernization of train interiors. NedTrain strives to provide customers the highest possible availability of equipment at the lowest possible cost.
One of the spearheads of NedTrain is innovation. The staff of NedTrain has an important role in this. They help think and participate and this way they turn NedTrain into a more agile organization. Creativity and innovative capacity are encouraged. To Nedtrain, innovation means to also invest in high-tech workplaces and the most modern equipment. NedTrain is working with train manufacturers, suppliers and knowledge institutes.
Introduction Idea management
In this context, NedTrain started in 2008 a new project for Idea Management. The aim of this project was twofold. First, an organization can greatly benefit from the ideas that employees submit, to work more efficiently or easier. Furthermore, stimulating new ideas and creativity have a positive impact on the atmosphere.
The introduction of idea management within NedTrain is thoroughly prepared. A completely new Idea Management department has been established, which now consists of 4 people. This department is responsible for promoting and managing the flow of ideas within the organization. They are supported by a team of idea managers and idea coaches at the various locations of NedTrain. In addition, brainstorming sessions and meetings are organized to create and capture new ideas.
Smart technology
Altogether this gives a flow of valuable ideas. Of course, all these ideas have to be followed adequately. To do so, NedTrain has chosen to use Quality Online software technology. For several years, the organization has been making satisfactory use of "Alert", a Quality Online Safety Management application for the registration and follow-up of safety reports. The Quality Online Incident and Reporting system is the basis of the idea management system, which was introduced in 2008 under the name ‘My Idea'. My Idea is linked to the Quality Online platform, that was already in use at NedTrain.
At the initiative of NedTrain, a start was made, at the beginning of 2008, to explore the possibilities to adapt the system for security issues to idea management. At that time, the desired work process was already completely mapped. On June 18 "My Idea" went live, only 3.5 months after the start of the project. The system replaces all Excel lists, which were insufficient to manage the large flow of ideas. Every idea is recorded in the system, then the idea follows a workflow and is gradually evaluated and validated.
Fertile innovation environment
From day 1 this was a great success. Within half a year 1,100 ideas were registered, of which over 10% was realized at the end of 2008. Much more than the usual 2% to 3%, the average achievement within other organizations. This figure shows a fertile innovation environment. At NedTrain, employees see opportunities and dare to submit their ideas. The success is partly explained by the user friendliness of the system, but also by the people who keep it going. The focus for the petitioners and the thoughtful roadmap, supported by the workflow, ensure a smooth flow of ideas.
Idea of entrepreneurs
Another success factor is the philosophy behind 'My Idea'. Petitioners are ‘the entrepreneurs of their own idea'. The idea entrepreneurs want to realize their idea. They are helped by idea coaches, who help pick up complex ideas. The local ideas are followed-up by local idea managers. Experience shows that the closer the supervisor/coach is situated near the promoter of the idea, the greater the chance of a rapid deployment.
Specific about this project is that all information, which arises during the handling of the ideas, is loaded from Quality Online directly to the corporate data warehouse of NedTrain. With this information all reports are compiled, with which the progress and results of the project are monitored.
A good example of a successful idea, is the development of a standard maintenance for high-speed equipment. This replaces various types of maintenance and includes all maintenance aspects. The aim was to simplify maintenance, to reduce errors, increase the reliability and to simplify planning. The establishment of the new maintenance is designed by mechanics, management and business office. The 'standard maintenance' is successfully tested and introduced.
Attention to success
Within NedTrain, much attention is paid to the realized ideas. The authors get the attention and reward they have earned. This encourages others to participate in the project and to submit their own ideas. The Idea Management department has also developed a scorecard, showing the performance of the various businesses in this area. The scorecard provides a form of competition, which again encourages submission of new ideas.
Example Project
The project is so successful, that other departments and organizations outside the NS have shown interest. The Idea Management department regularly works with other organizations, to whom they provide tips and advice. The department receives no more than praise and is thus strengthened in choosing the right course. NedTrain has deployed a unique development, which they proudly convey.
The automation of the ideas flow, which is part of this project, is being judged very positively by all parties. During the evaluation, the project received good to very good scores at all sections, in terms of content and collaboration between NedTrain and Quality Online. NedTrain gives the project even the telling title 'Flagship'!.
Source: NedTrain Year report Innovation: 2008, a super successful year!