Introduction:
The collaboration between the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) and Catalyst Consulting is a fine example of collaborative partnership. Our combined effort, the “One IWA Programme,” sought to address the intricate challenges faced by the IWA community, aiming to bring about tangible, lasting change. This initiative has earned a nomination for the Learning in Excellence Awards this September.
The Essence of the One IWA Programme:
The programme was a meticulous endeavour to understand and address the challenges and opportunities faced by the IWA community. Through a series of online workshops, facilitators and experts were united, driven by a shared commitment to bring about meaningful change.
Tangible Benefits:
- Empowerment: Directly uplifting service users through enhanced processes.
- Efficiency: Streamlined operations, allowing the IWA team to focus on what truly matters.
- Collaboration: A team of facilitators emerged, each contributing their unique expertise and passion to the project.
Jo Dowdall’s Perspective:
For Catalyst Consultant Jo, this was an invigorating project. “Every process we refined, every efficiency we introduced, was a step towards a brighter future for the IWA community. Their dedication was a constant source of motivation.”
The IWA Narrative: Beyond the Surface
About IWA:
The Irish Wheelchair Association is more than an organisation; it is a community. Founded on the belief that everyone should be able to live a life of choice and equality, IWA supports over 20,000 members across Ireland. With 2,500 dedicated employees, 57 local community centres, and the backing of 2,000 volunteers, they provide services that empower people with physical disabilities to live independently, while also campaigning for equal rights and opportunities.
Catalyst’s Contribution:
Catalyst Consulting, respected for our expertise in strategic, operational, and assessment consultancy, brought a fresh perspective to the table. Our focus on business transformation, lean thinking, and process management was instrumental in helping IWA reshape its operational landscape. Together, we embarked on a journey to refine processes, foster collaboration, and pave the way for a technologically advanced future.
The Human Element:
Behind the numbers and processes were the stories of individuals. Jo shared the view “It’s a huge privilege to be working with an organisation so dedicated to its purpose. Each minute saved from a process, and each challenge removed from a team member will be turned it into magic”.
The Award Nomination: Insights and Outcomes
The Challenge:
IWA aimed to elevate their community’s experience. They faced fragmented information systems, intricate processes, and the challenge of standardising services across diverse regions.
The Solution:
The One IWA Programme was a transformative journey. It harmonised processes, introduced efficiencies, and ensured alignment with the community’s needs. The programme utilised continuous improvement tools and techniques, including process mapping and process challenge, raising awareness of the need for change within the organisation.
Measurable Outcomes:
- 10 facilitators trained.
- 37 workshops conducted.
- 39 processes meticulously reviewed and documented.
- 298 actionable improvements identified.
- Tangible time savings, bolstered efficiency, and enhanced service quality.
Conclusion:
The One IWA Programme is a testament to the benefits of genuine collaboration. By understanding challenges and opportunities at a grassroots level, fostering open communication, and focusing on tangible outcomes, the partnership between IWA and Catalyst Consulting has brought about real, lasting impact. The lessons learned from this partnership are clear: a deep understanding of challenges, combined with innovative solutions, leads to transformative results. As we anticipate the Learning in Excellence Awards, the programme stands as an example of how dedication and innovation can bring about positive change.
To discover more about the great work of Irish Wheelchair Association please go here:
We are proud to have partnered with IWA on this journey. If you have enjoyed reading this, and would like to learn more about working with us, please contact our CEO James Dwan jmd@catalystconsulting.co.uk for an initial conversation.
To grow yours and/or your organisation’s knowledge in this area, please find info on our Continuous Improvement training courses here https://lean-six-sigma.training/.
