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Module 5 - NC II - Contributing To Workplace Innovation
Module 5 - NC II - Contributing To Workplace Innovation
Module 5 - NC II - Contributing To Workplace Innovation
CONTRIBUTING
TO WORKPLACE
INNOVATION
\\•!J U SA Educati on
Development
Center
ID
TESDA
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
Acknowledgements
Education Development Center (EDC) would like to thank the staff of the USAID Opportunity 2.0
Program, Philippines local team, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s
(TESDA) National Institute for Technical Education and Skills Development (NITESD) through its
Curriculum and Training Aids Division (CTADD), whose invaluable insights guided the adaptation of this
curriculum.
Opportunity 2.0 aims to provide opportunities for second-chance education for vulnerable out-of-school
youth (OSY) by collaboratively working with TESDA in strengthening its technical education and training
systems to develop, deliver and monitor workforce readiness and technical-vocational training programs
that will prepare large numbers of out-of-school youth to transition to further education and training,
immediate jobs and self-employment opportunities. In line with this objective, Opportunity 2.0 has
developed the Work Readiness Modules on 21st Century Skills which are appropriate for self-directed
learning or modular learning delivery.
The Work Readiness Modules on 21st Century Skills is an adaptation of EDC’s globally recognized Work
Ready Now. The curriculum addresses the TESDA Amended Competency Standards for Basic
Competencies Integrating 21st Century Skills which were promulgated on July 9, 2019.
This curriculum is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States
Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Education Development
Center, Inc. and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
EDC 43 Foundry Avenue Waltham, MA 02453 Education Development Center (EDC) is a global
Contact: youth-intl@edc.org nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve
education, promote health, and expand economic
Phone: 617-969-7100 opportunity.
Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing,
Boston | Chicago | New York | Washington, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative
D.C. programs in more than 80 countries around the wo
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
Table of Contents
Summary of Learning Outcomes...........................................................................................................4
Module Overview................................................................................................................................4
SESSION 1: Identify Opportunities to Do Things Better.........................................................................6
Activity 1: Introductory Activity & Pre-Module Learner’s Reflection.......................................................7
Activity 2: Identifying Opportunities for Improvement..........................................................................10
Activity 3: Information Gathering for Innovative Ideas..........................................................................15
SESSION 2: Discuss and Develop Ideas with Others.............................................................................21
Activity 4: Getting inputs to Sharpen Innovative Ideas..........................................................................22
Activity 5: Using Feedback to Further Develop Ideas.............................................................................29
SESSION 3: Integrate Ideas for Change in the Workplace....................................................................38
Activity 6: Utilizing a Critical Inquiry Method.........................................................................................39
Activity 7: Summarizing and Reporting Ideas........................................................................................45
Activity 8: Communicating Ideas for Change.........................................................................................48
Activity 9: Post-Module Learner’s Reflection: End-of-Module Skills Check...........................................51
Activity 10: End-of-Module Assessment................................................................................................53
Key to Correction...............................................................................................................................57
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
Module Overview
Activity Time
Session 1: Identify opportunities to do things better (L.O. 1)
1: Introductory Activity & Pre-Module Learners Reflection (10-15 minutes)
2: Identifying Opportunities for Improvement 50-60 minutes
3: Information Gathering for Innovative Ideas 20-30 minutes
Session 2: Discuss and develop ideas with others (L.O. 2)
4. Getting Inputs to Sharpen Innovative Ideas 20-30 minutes
5. Using Feedback to Further Develop Ideas 30-40 minutes
Session 3: Integrate ideas for change in the workplace (L.O. 3)
6. Utilizing a Critical Inquiry Method 50-60 minutes
7. Summarizing and Reporting Ideas 30-40 minutes
8. Communicating Ideas for Change 20-30 minutes
Session 4: Review and Assessment
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
Written Assignments
This is a checklist of all the written documents for learners to accomplish. The facilitator will
put a tick mark on the submitted outputs and follow-up those without a tick mark.
Skills Demonstration
The following activities will help you develop the knowledge and skills to achieve the learning
outcomes of this module:
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Performance Criteria:
1.1 Opportunities for improvement are identified proactively in own area of work
1.2 Information are gathered and reviewed which may be relevant to ideas and which
might assist in gaining support for idea
The Empathy Map is a tool that is human-centered in nature and helps identify a person
who encounters a problem, what they say about it, how they think, how they feel about
it, and what they do about the problem.
Brainstorming is a method design teams use to generate ideas to solve clearly defined
design problems.
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
Objectives:
Read the quote at the beginning of the module. Describe an experience in your work or
personal life related to it.
Read the objectives of the module. How does the quote relate to the objectives? Why
do we want ideas from many people when we want to do things better?
This is not a test but is a way for you to see what you already know or do not know about the
topics. You will read a skill that is listed in the left column. Think about yourself and your
experience. Then read the statements across the top. Check the column that best represents
your situation. The results will help you and your teacher know which topics may require more
time, effort and guidance.
Ito ay hindi pagsusulit. Ito ay isang paraan upang malaman mo ang iyong kaalaman, kasanayan
o kakayahan tungkol sa paksang ito. Basahin mo ang mga kaalaman, kasanayan o kakayahan
na nakalista sa kaliwang hanay. Magbalik‐tanaw sa iyong sarili at mga karanasan. Basahin ang
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
lahat ng mga pangungusap at i‐tsek ang sagot na naaangkop sa iyong sitwasyon. Ang iyong
kasagutan ay magiging gabay mo at ng iyong guro sa pagpapalawak ng iyong kaalaman
tungkol sa paksang ito.
My experience 1 2 3 4
Knowledge, skills and abilities I don’t have I have little I have some I have a lot
any experience experience of
Kaalaman, kasanayan at kakayahan experience doing this doing this experience
doing this. doing this.
Mayroon Mayroon
Wala akong akong akong Marami
karanasan kaunting karanasan akong
sa paggawa karanasan sa paggawa karanasan
nito sa paggawa nito sa paggawa
nito nito
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
My experience 1 2 3 4
Knowledge, skills and abilities I don’t have I have little I have some I have a lot
any experience experience of
Kaalaman, kasanayan at kakayahan experience doing this doing this experience
doing this. doing this.
Mayroon Mayroon
Wala akong akong akong Marami
karanasan kaunting karanasan akong
sa paggawa karanasan sa paggawa karanasan
nito sa paggawa nito sa paggawa
nito nito
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
Objectives:
Once we are aware of the problems that exist in our workplace, we are able to start
identifying opportunities for improvement. This activity gives you a tool that you may
use to identify a problem, and in turn find an opportunity in your own area of work. To
get started, let us look at some workplace problems and see if you can see the
opportunities.
Below is a list of workplace problems. On the left side, tick the box if this applies to your
workplace or community. On the right side, answer with either a YES or NO if you think
there is / is not an opportunity for improvement related to the problem.
To see the opportunity for improvement, it is critical to gain as much understanding of the
problem as you can. A tool that can help you do this is called the Empathy Map.
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Empathy is trying to gain insights into what people may need, what they want, how they
behave, feel, and think, and why they demonstrate such behaviors, feelings and thoughts
when they interact with the problems in a real-world setting.
The Empathy Map is a tool that does not focus on the problem or on the solution but
focuses on the people. We call this a human-centered approach. The Empathy Map helps
identify a person who encounters a problem, what they say about it, how they think, how
they feel about it, and what they do about the problem.
Let us look at an example. Elena’s workplace has a rule that all employees must
wear long-sleeve tops. Below is an example of a filled-out empathy map relating to
Elena’s problem.
Study the Empathy Map carefully to find out about Elena’s perspectives, thoughts,
feelings, and actions.
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Using the Empathy Map to analyze a problem in the workplace allows us to:
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
Step 1: Ask your friend about an existing problem that you friend may have at work or in their
community.
Step 2: Ask for your friend’s thought about the problem. What are your friend’s feelings about
the problem? What does your friend normally say about the problem? and What does your
friend do to avoid the problem?
Step 3: Decide - what opportunity for improvement is there given your friend’s problem.
’s Empathy Map
To know more about empathy maps, you can watch this video1 by Maria Jimenez and Maria
Fernanda Herrera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4peaTRJu7Y&t=44s
1
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4peaTRJu7Y&t=44s
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Sharing is Caring
Share your empathy map back to your friend to see what s/he think. Do it face to face, via
text, chat, or whatever means available and comfortable to you. It’s always great to get
feedback. You might get a better a understanding the second time round. During the
sharing session, make sure you discussed the following and note down the feedback.
2. Your understanding of how the problem made your friend feel, and think?
3. Your understanding of what your friend did and said because of her problem?
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Objectives:
Once you have a clear problem, based on the understanding you gather using a human-
centered approach like the Empathy Map, the challenge now is to come up with lots of
ideas to solve the problem. It is time to brainstorm.
What is Brainstorming?
Brainstorming is a method for generate ideas, gearing the power of our collective
thinking towards a variety of potential solutions.
Think about the time when you had to brainstorm with other people on how to solve a
problem and respond to the following questions.
2. How were the questions asked to get people’s inputs leading to the solutions?
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Brainstorming allows you and your workmates to gather information on ideas that
may be relevant to innovation. The more inputs there are, the more ideas you may be
able to put together to create an innovative opportunity. The workplace that
encourages brainstorming also fosters its people to become better questioners and
listeners.
To know more about brainstorming, you may watch this John Spencer video 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLpZ6RZHyoM.
2
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLpZ6RZHyoM
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DOs
Be clear on the goal of the brainstorming session
Do not judge or criticize
Encourage weird, wacky, and wild ideas
Aim for quantity
Build on each other's ideas
Be visual
Set a time limit
One conversation at a time
DON’Ts
Let some people dominate the conversation
Stray off topic and/or address other problems.
Collectively chasing an impossible solution someone has developed elsewhere
It would be difficult to brainstorm on your own, so discuss the following sample questions with
your family, friends, or siblings. Remember the Brainstorming DOs and DON’Ts. Write down all
the information you have gathered during the discussions in the table below. Then list the
innovative ideas that can potentially lead to solutions. We start with a simple topic and then go
to a workplace one.
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How to address
workplace tardiness
- e.g., spending too
much time on
mobile phone.
Discuss the innovative ideas to improve workplace practice from the activity above with
your friends and family. What do they think? Will the people at work think about these
ideas? How do we find out? Write down your initial thoughts in Session 1 - Wring Space
below. We will find out more in the next session.
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The Performance Criteria Checklist is an opportunity for you to assess your learning
outcomes in the session and know how well you did in doing the activities in this
session. You will speak to your facilitator to:
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Congratulations! Now that you know how to identify opportunities to do things better in
the workplace, you are now ready to develop ideas with others.
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Performance Criteria:
2.1 People who could provide input to ideas for improvements are identified
2.2 Ways of approaching people to begin sharing ideas are selected
2.3 Meeting is set with relevant people
2.4 Ideas for follow up are review and selected based on feedback
2.5 Critical inquiry method is used to discuss and develop ideas with others
Useful input that can lead to idea improvements may come from many people
including: the users, the customers, the management, the implementers, the experts,
the novices.
Good practices for approaching people to get their feedback to new ideas include:
o Be a good listener. When speak, be clear, concise, polite, and respectful.
o Show or demonstrate an example or a prototype of the ideas.
o Use surveys, group discussions, individual interviews appropriately to collect
the required inputs.
o When pitching ideas in a meeting:
Address the users’ pain points, discuss the needs, make it clear why and how your
solutions can solve the problem
Highlight the impact of your solutions, what will be saved, what opportunity will
be created
When selecting ideas to develop further into solutions, the idea should be both impactful
and feasible.
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
Objectives
Identify people in the workplace who could provide input to ideas for improvements.
Recognize approaches for obtaining people’s input to improve innovative ideas,
including setting up meetings.
Welcome to Session 2!
Earlier in this module, you have learned that problems are the bridges to opportunities for
improvement. You have also practiced using the Empathy Map, which is a tool to better
understand the problem. You then brainstorm ideas to solve problems with your family and
friends. You have listed many ideas, some of which can lead to innovative solutions.
In Session 2, you will learn how to get feedbacks from other people about your ideas.
Write one favorite innovative idea that you, your friend, or your family came up with in
the last session. Explain why you like this idea. How can this idea be developed further
into a solution that will then solve a problem?
Jane: We should install a CCTV and review it together daily to catch who have been
ignoring the customers.
Ken: We should have Sales Assistant of the Month Award and give cash prize
for one of us who has the highest rating from the customers.
Dan: How about creating a chart to show number of customer complaints each
month? Every month that the number goes down I will ask the manager to
order a pizza and celebrate together.
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Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/YezSycO8W3U
Which idea do you think can become an effective solution for this problem? If you can
give advice to develop this idea further, what will you say to the team?
The key to improving the ideas is to identify who to talk to and get input. The people in each
organization widely varies. The following list are some possible people that you can talk to if
you want feedback about your solution ideas.
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The customers. The people you use the products or services of your
organization. They might not be the users of your solution (if the problem that
you are solving are internal). Nevertheless, if your innovative ideas affect the
customers in any way, their input should be considered.
The management. These are the managers, directors, and executives in your
organization. They must think about cost-effectiveness and satisfaction of many
stakeholders.
The implementers. These people are the team that will transform your ideas
into products or service for users.
The experts. These are the people who understand the background and
the context of the workplace. They can also be the people who has
technical knowledge about the issue.
The novices. People with no preconceptions about the idea. It is useful to talk to
them because they have fresh insights and less bias or prejudice.
Different groups of people have different interests and priorities. The following are a few
tips for approaching people to get their feedback.
Be a good listener. When speak, be clear, concise, polite, and respectful.
Surveys can be used to gather data from many people while a group
discussion or individual interview can provide in-depth information.
When pitching your idea in a meeting, address the users’ pain points, discuss
the needs, make it clear why and how your solutions can solve the problem
When approaching the management and the experts, do your homework.
Highlight the impact of your solutions, what will be saved (who much staff
time, how much materials, how much money)? what opportunity will be
created (how much better customer reach, staff satisfaction, user experience)?
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Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/D8wmd6Sze78
Who should he talk to for feedback? What are the ways that Nick can get
feedback about his idea?
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Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/FVgECvTjlBQ
Who should Sonya talk to for inputs? How should she approach them?
Who should she talk to for feedback? What are the ways that Sonya can get
feedback about her idea?
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3. Aileen is a junior accountant in a start-up accounting firm. She noticed that many of
their clients start to do business online and thought that her company should develop
their own specialized accounting software that can better meet the needs of these
online businesses.
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/j64-40UYDu0
Considering Aileen’s position, who should she talk to for inputs? How should she
approach them?
Who should she talk to for feedback? What are the ways that Aileen can get
feedback about her idea?
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Objectives
Working with people and sharing your ideas means collaboration, cooperation, and
following up on projects – this can be done via face-to-face meetings, online meetings
and e-mails. Listed below are the different ways to document feedback, review and
select ideas, and use the critical inquiry method to develop ideas further.
In order to make our innovative ideas happen, we have to consider two significant
things – the impact and feasibility of innovative ideas . When great ideas are brought up, you
have to filter and agree on which of those ideas manifest great impact and capable of success.
The end goal of this process is to create a solution that is achievable, has effect, value and can
influence.
When developing ideas, a number of concepts will have developed and we have to
consider which among has the most potential to lead in a new concept that will satisfy and
meet the demand of our target area.
After you pitch or demonstrate your ideas to different people, hopefully you will end up
with a lot of feedback to analyze. These feedbacks can be useful when you review and select
ideas to develop further.
10
decision.
When giving feedback to an idea, two decisions are
required. On the scale of 0 to 10, what level of impact can
this idea create? And again, on the scale of 0 to 10, what is 0 Feasibility 10
the feasibility of putting this idea to use? Ideas with high An Impact vs Feasibility chart
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
High impact because there is Very high impact because Low impact because if there
still some risk if the storm is verythere
destructive.
is still some risk if the storm
is flooding
is very destructive.
it is likely that the water can still ge
Medium feasibility because the Low cost feasibility
might be very
because
high.the timeHigh
is limited
feasibility
and no because
existing
the
system
solution
to organize
is low-co
10
10
10
Impact
Impact
Impact
Different people may have different judgement about the impact and the feasibility of a
solution idea. It is important to get feedback from many people to make a good
decision about which innovation idea to develop further.
Listed below are the different ways to document feedback, review and select ideas, and
use critical inquiry method to develop ideas further.
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Review the following document and answer the questions that follow.
Introduction: Staff information and data are currently stored via Google Sheets –
although this is working, the document can be viewed by multiple staff
in the office – a violation of the Data Privacy Act. This is also tedious as
information about staff cannot be easily found on the Sheet due to the
simplistic nature of the app. A more secure and efficient system is
needed by the Company.
Recommendations: Choose between existing HR systems as to which one best suit the
company and its needs. It would also be great to have additional
features if available.
Conclusion: There is a need to update the current HR system of the company and
protect employees’ sensitive data as well as make work more efficient.
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1. Based on the table in Key Facts 5.4, what type of document is this?
10
3. If you were the human resource
manager, how would you respond
after reading this document? Plot
Impact
your initial response in the chart
on the right. What additional
information would you like to have
before making decision?
0 Feasibility 10
4. Would you recommend Oscar to speak to more people? Who and how?
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Revisit the workplace problem from the empathy map you developed in the last session. You
will then do two things:
1. Pretend you are the employee. Write an email or report to your manager about the
problem and propose possible solutions using the practices you have learned so far.
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0 Feasibility 10
Sharing is Caring
Share your proposed solution with a member of family or a friend. Ask them for feedback
about your idea and the quality of your writing and plot their analysis on the impact vs
feasibility chart. Make notes of learnings and ideas in Session 2 Writing Space.
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The Performance Criteria Checklist is an opportunity for you to assess your learning outcomes
in the session and know how well you did in doing the activities in this session. You will speak
to your facilitator to:
1. Share your experiences in completing the session
2. Discuss your development and progress towards the intended skills
3. Plan how you will move forward to continue making progress in the module
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Performance Criteria:
3.1 Critical inquiry method is used to integrate different ideas for change of key
people.
3.2 Summarizing, analyzing and generalizing skills are used to extract salient
points in the pool of ideas.
3.3 Reporting skills are likewise used to communicate results
3.4 Current issues and concerns on the systems, processes and procedures, as
well as the need for simple innovative practices are identified.
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Objectives
Name the steps of one model for the Critical Inquiry Method
Apply the said steps in identifying solutions and integrating new ideas in
the workplace
Welcome to Session 3!
Now that you get feedbacks from relevant people about your innovative idea, you
select the idea to develop further by considering impact and feasibility. Let’s assume
that your boss has given you the green light to put your idea to use in the workplace.
In this session you will learn about the process for integrating new ideas in the
workplace.
Do you normally follow a process when trying to integrate new ideas into your routine
at work or at home? What are the steps that you follow? List them below.
What are some concerns that you can think of when introducing an innovative solution
to the workplace?
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until you can create change. It is also important not to get fixated on the method and forget the
goal.
"Be stubborn with your goals but flexible with your methods."
Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2015 from the Philippines.
3
Adapted from Critical Inquiry Method. Retrieved from
https://academyofsingaporeteachers.moe.edu.sg/professional-excellence/professional-learning-
communities/developing-effective-plcs/critical-inquiry-methods on November 22, 2020.
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5. Agreement
a. Agree on the action points that each of the involved parties must take.
b. Track any changes, if necessary, in the appropriate and corresponding Workplace
document type: handbook, manual, guide
6. Implementation of a course of action
a. Refer to Module 4: Steps to Achieving Goals
b. Make sure to follow the SMART framework: Specific, Measurable,
Achievable, Realistic, and Time Framed
To see how Critical Inquiry Method in action, you can watch this video 4 of John Spencer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlwkerwaV2E
2. Why is it important to determine who will be involved in the discussion of the issue?
3. Why is it critical that the issue is supported by evidence through workplace data?
4
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlwkerwaV2E
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1. Preparation
a. What is the issue I am afraid to ask my New employees are Your small restaurant
at work? supervisor questions. overwhelmed is extremely busy
I am not sure if, for because there is so during lunch and
this workplace, much to learn about dinner but relatively
employees who ask the organization at empty during other
questions or have a the beginning and a times.
lot of ideas may be lot of forms and
thought of as a trainings to
nuisance. complete.
b. Under what Policy
category is the issue?
(policy, process, or
procedure)
c. Who needs to be Everyone in the
involved in discussing organization
the issue? (Leaders,
Managers,
Specialists, Staff,
external consultant)
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2. Discussion
a. What type of No formal evidence.
workplace data is Need to identify if
available as evidence this is an individual
to support the issue? problem or system
(reports, attendance, problem e.g. by
performance review) doing employee
interview and an
anonymous survey.
3. Clarification of goals
a. Why must this Culture of trust
issue be addressed? support
organizational
innovations
b. What actions must Update policy and
be taken to address organize activities to
the issue? promote culture of
trust.
c. Who need to Everyone inside the
implement these organization.
actions?
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5. Agreement
a. What are the Communicate to
agreed action points build share
that each of the understanding that
involved parties must everyone is
take? encouraged to ask
questions and share
ideas.
b. Track any changes, Issue supervisor’s
if necessary, in the guide and follow up
appropriate and by employee’s
corresponding survey.
Workplace document
type: handbook,
manual, guide
How do you feel after going through the process above? Was it easy or difficult? What made
it easy or difficult? Is this process helpful or not? Why? Share your thinking with a member of
your family or a friend.
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Objectives
Remember Jane, Ken and Dan from the last session? Fortunately, the flood did not
cause damage to the documents in the cabinets, but their company decide to scan all
past, present and future documents, and store in the cloud. If you are not family with
cloud storage to an internet search to find out what it is.
In order to successfully implement this new workplace process, can you think of the
action points that needs to be completed? List the steps to be taken in the space below.
From the action points, identify the behaviors that promote change or solve the
problem:
What you just did is to summarize the salient points of the problem you analyzed. You
stated the problem then mentioned the action points to address the problem and
finally identified the behaviors that promote change.
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Situation 1:
The staff of Glass Bead Game Company has been working from home because of the
COVID-19 crisis. Even though they have been provided tools and equipment to
perform their job, their output has been suffering. It seems they are overworked
because of long hours. Since they are all at home, back-to-back meetings have been
scheduled all day long because there is no need to travel to an office.
Sheila suggested that there must be a maximum number of meetings per day and this
must be respected by all departments. Roy added that no meetings should be set
before 8am and after 5pm. The HR Manager, Melanie, volunteered to host
mindfulness sessions at the start of each week to help lessen everyone’s stress and to
start a new week with focus and calmness. Another manager suggested that staff
should feel empowered to decline meetings that are not critical for them to attend
(and they can check with their supervisor when unsure). After two weeks, productivity
increased and the output was of good quality.
Problem:
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
Situation 2:
Two interior designers are trying to figure out why they have not been receiving new
clients recently. They both agreed to tap into their personal networks and also reach
out to local businesses and even government agencies to increase their possibilities
for new business. Jan emailed friends and family and searched online for possible
clients then emailed them as well. Marla, on the other hand, tried to set-up a simple
Facebook page and boosted a post featuring their best design from the previous
quarter.
After a couple of weeks, they received several inquiries from new clients - all through
the Facebook page. They immediately called these clients and set-up appointments.
Three clients signed contracts with Jan and Marla at the end of the month pushing
them to post more designs on their page.
Problem:
Select one more problem from the previous activities, or the problem in your workplace or
your community. Identify and summarize its salient points following the same procedure as
you did in the exercise before this (state the problem, identify action points to address the
problem, and cite the behaviors that promote change). Do this first on paper and then
present it to a family member as if you were reporting to your boss about a problem at work.
Refer to your previous lesson on Effective Speaking Skills for tips.
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
Objectives
Communicate ideas for change through small group discussions and meetings
Have you ever participated in a small group discussion before? What was it like? What
did you like or dislike about it?
When do you think small group discussions are useful to have? Cite example situations.
A group discussion is a type of meeting, but it differs from the formal meetings in a number of
ways:
It’s less formal, and may have no time constraints, or structured order, or agenda.
Its leadership is usually less directive than that of a meeting.
Leading a discussion group is not the same as running a meeting. It is much closer to
acting as a facilitator, but not exactly the same as that either.
An effective group discussion generally has a number of elements:
All members of the group have a chance to speak, expressing their own ideas and
feelings freely, and to pursue and finish out their thoughts
All members of the group can hear others’ ideas and feelings stated openly
Group members can safely test out ideas that are not yet fully formed
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
Group members can receive and respond to respectful but honest and constructive
feedback. Feedback could be positive, negative, or merely clarifying or correcting
factual questions or errors, but is in all cases delivered respectfully.
A variety of points of view are put forward and discussed
The discussion is not dominated by any one person
Arguments, while they may be spirited, are based on the content of ideas and
opinions, not on personalities
Gather your family members and think of an issue you have been having at home. Use the
presented Critical Inquiry Method to analyze the issue. And then, summarize the salient
points following the pattern suggested in the previous activity. Finally, conduct a small group
discussion on how your proposed solutions to the issues can be implemented at home by
every member of the family.
PROCESS Problem
1. Preparation
What is the issue?
Who needs to be
involved in discussing the
issue?
2. Discussion
How can the issue be
addressed?
3. Clarification of goals
Why must this issue be
addressed?
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
PROCESS Problem
4. Negotiate towards a Win-Win outcome
How are the identified
actions to solve the issue
helpful to all parties
concerned?
5. Agreement
What are the agreed
action points that each of
the involved parties must
take?
Sharing is caring
How did you find Session 3? Are you now better equipped to communicate ideas for
change at work and at home? What are your overall learnings from this session? How do
you feel now? Share your thoughts and feelings with your family or friends!
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
Objectives
Now that you have reached the end of the module, let us see if you are able to develop the necessary
skills in contributing to workplace innovation. Conduct a self-assessment and answer the table below.
Statements on my experience, knowledge, skills and abilities / Encircle Yes if you have shown or can do
Mga pahayag tungkol sa aking kaalaman, kasanayan at the statement, No if you haven’t shown
kakayahan and cannot do it yet.
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
Statements on my experience, knowledge, skills and abilities / Encircle Yes if you have shown or can do
Mga pahayag tungkol sa aking kaalaman, kasanayan at the statement, No if you haven’t shown
kakayahan and cannot do it yet.
Look at your answers, were there boxes where you encircled No? If there are, go back to the
activities in the module that will help you gain the skill identified in the statement. You can also
reach out to your facilitator/trainer to provide you with guidance on what activities you can do
to master the skill.
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
Objectives
End-of-Module Assessment
Congratulations for finishing Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation for National Certificate
Level II! At the end of every module you will take a short assessment to see how much you have learned.
It will help you and your teacher identify the knowledge and skills you know and what still needs
reinforcing. The results will not affect your ability to continue in the program.
Structure of the Assessment: It has a total of 10 questions. Some questions are multiple choice, and
some questions are true or false. You should choose only ONE answer for each question.
Once you have finished answering the questions, note down any clarifications you want to ask your
instructor.
ENGLISH Tagalog
Circle the choice that fits the statement Bilugan ang letra ng tamang sagot.
1. It is a tool that is human-centered in 1. Ito ay isang tool na nakakatulong sa
nature and helps identify a person who isang taong may problema, kung ano
encounters a problem, what they say ang sinasabi nila tungkol dito, kung ano
about it, how they think, how they feel ang iniisip nila, kung ano ang kanilang
about it, and what they do about the nararamdaman tungkol dito, at kung
problem. ano ang ginagawa nila tungkol sa
a. Brainstorming problema
b. Empathy Map a. Brainstorming
c. Workplace Document b. Empathy Map
c. Workplace Document
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
ENGLISH Tagalog
2. It is a method design teams use to 2. Ito ay isang paraan na ginagamit ng
generate ideas to solve clearly defined isang grupo upang makabuo ng mga
design problems. It also involves ideya upang mahanapan ng solusyon
harnessing synergy – we leverage our ang malinw na problema. Kasama rin
collective thinking towards a variety of dito ang paggamit ng synergy - at
potential solutions. paggamit ng kolektibong pag-iisip
a. Brainstorming patungo sa iba't ibang mga potensyal
b. Empathy Map na solusyon
c. Workplace Documents a. Brainstorming
b. Empathy Map
c. Workplace Documents
3. Why is showing a prototype of your 3. Bakit magandang paraan ang
idea a good way to help people pagpapakita ng prototype sa iyong
understand your innovation? kasamahan upang mas maintindihan
a. Nobody likes reading text or nila ang iyong inobasyon?
listening to long talks a. Ayaw ng mga taong magbasa o
b. People can see and interact with making sa mahabang ulat
your idea b. Makikita ng tao ang ideya at mas
c. The prototype attracts people who magiging konkreto ito
have tendency to like it c. Ang prototype ay maggaganyak
sa mga taong gusto ito
4. Which of the following is a good set of 4. Alin sa mga sumusunod ang mainam na
criteria for selecting ideas to develop pamantayan sa pagpili ng ideyang
further into solutions? sususugin at patuloy na pauunlarin?
a. Exciting and high-tech a. Nakagaganyak at gumagamit ng
b. Cheap and Novel makabagong teknolohiya
c. Impactful and feasible b. Mura at bago
c. Malaking pagbabago at maaaring
maisakatuparan
5. Which of the following is an 5. Alin sa mga sumusunod ang
appropriate format for summarizing pinakaangkop na paraan sa pagbubuod
feedback to innovative ideas? ng mga mungkahi sa makabagong
a. Social media posts ideya?
b. Sticky notes a. Pag-post sa Social Media
c. Reports b. Paggamit ng madidikit na papel
c. Pagsulat ng ulat
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
ENGLISH Tagalog
6. Which of the following is a good 6. Alin sa mga sumusunod ang mainam na
practice when brainstorming? gawin kung may malayang talakayan at
a. Set a time limit nagbrai-brainstorming ang grupo?
b. Offer the best ideas a. Magtakda ng oras
c. Diversify to many topics b. Magbigay ng pinakamahusay
na ideya
c. Paramihin ang mga paksang pag-
uusapan
7. Which of the following is a good 7. Alin sa mga sumusunod ang dapat
practice when talking to people to get gawin kung nanghihingi ng mungkahi
feedback for innovative ideas? mula sa ibang tao tungkol sa
a. Showcase the perfection of your idea makabagong ideya?
b. Be clear, concise, polite a. Ipakita na maganda ang iyong ideya
and respectful b. Maging malinaw at magalang sa
c. Interrupt when people give feedback pananalita
for too long c. Sumabat kung masyadong mahaba
ang mungkahing ibinabahagi ng kausap
8. Which of the following is a good 8. Alin sa mga sumusunod ang dapat
practice when pitching your solution in gawin kung magbibigay ng mungkhaing
a meeting? solusyon sa isang pagpupulong?
a. Use technical terms to a. Gumamit ng mga teknikal na
create credibility termmonolohiya upang mapataas ang
b. Prepare a very detailed kredibilidad
presentation slide b. Maghanda ng detalyadong
c. Make it clear how the solution can presentasyon
solve the problem c. Linawin kung paano malulutas ng
mungkhang solusyon ang problema
9. Which of the following is a good 9. Alin sa mga sumunod ang dapat gawin
practice when conducting a group kung nangangasiwa ng talakayan ng
discussion? isang grupo?
a. Stick to the agenda a. Sundin ang balakin ng pagpupulong
b. Use formal language b. Gumamit ng pormal na pananalita
c. Everyone can speak c. Maaaring magsalita ang kahit sino,
sa kahit anong pagkakataon sa
pagpupulong
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
ENGLISH Tagalog
10. Which of the following lists the steps 10. Alin sa mga sumusunod ang
in integrating new ideas in the nagpapakita ng tamang pagkasunod-
workplace in the correct order? sunod ng hakbang upang maisama ang
a. Preparation, Discussion, Clarification bagong ideya sa lugar ng trabaho?
of Goals, Negotiating Towards a Win- a. Preparation, Discussion, Clarification of
Win Outcome, Agreement, and Goals, Negotiating Towards a Win-Win
Implementation. Outcome, Agreement, and
b. Preparation, Agreement, Implementation.
Clarification of Goals, Negotiating b. Preparation, Agreement, Clarification
Towards a Win-Win Outcome, of Goals, Negotiating Towards a Win-
Discussion, and Implementation. Win Outcome, Discussion, and
c. Discussion, Negotiating Towards a Implementation.
Win-Win Outcome, Agreement, c. Discussion, Negotiating Towards a
Clarification of Goals, Preparation, Win-Win Outcome, Agreement,
and the Implementation Clarification of Goals, Preparation,
and the Implementation
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Module 5: Contributing to Workplace Innovation (NC Learner’s Handbook
Key to Correction
Activity 1 – My Workplace Problems and Opportunities
All problems in this list have opportunities for improvement.
End-of-Module Assessment
1. B - Empathy Map
2. A - Brainstorming
3. B - Prototype
4. C - Impactful and Feasible
5. C - Reports
6. A - Set a time limit
7. B - Be clear, concise, polite, and respectful
8. C - Make it clear how the solution can solve the problem
9. C - Everyone can speak
10. A - Preparation, Discussion, Clarification of Goals, Negotiating Towards a Win-Win
Outcome, Agreement, and Implementation.
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