Revolutionizing Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) with the Strategic Sustainability Readiness Framework
Offering a comprehensive strategic sustainability readiness framework to guide organizations engaged in RDI toward sustainable practices and global competitiveness.
The project was undertaken on behalf of the Water Research Commission (WRC) South Africa, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and the UKZN WASH Centre.
The project played a pivotal role for South African and African organizations and institutions. It guided them through intricate financial, water-related, socio-economic, and just transition challenges in their strategic planning and implementation processes. The creation of Centres of Excellence (COEs) and globally competitive innovation institutes were central to the framework development.
Benefits of Approach/Innovation:
Strategic Guidance: Offering a comprehensive strategic framework to guide organizations engaged in RDI toward sustainable practices, and global competitiveness.
Collaborative Endeavor: Collaboration between the Water Research Commission (WRC) South Africa, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the UKZN WASH Centre, Isle SA, UK expertise, and organizational development specialist Dr. Carl Eichstadt.
Complex Considerations: Addressing multifaceted challenges such as financial management, water concerns, socio-economic factors, and just transition considerations.
Institutional Enhancement: Encouraging the establishment of Centres of Excellence (COEs) and globally competitive innovation institutes to drive impactful RDI efforts.
Integrated Dimensions: Outlining 11 key dimensions within the Strategic Sustainability Readiness Framework (SSRF). Encompassing leadership, innovation, culture, capability, architecture, financial planning, governance, stakeholder management, market demand, and change leadership.
Adaptability: Offering adaptable dimensions that suit various organizations seeking future relevance in dynamic and complex environments.
Specialist Services Involved:
Strategic Framework Design: Collaboratively designing the Strategic Sustainability Readiness Framework (SSRF) to encompass essential dimensions.
Collaboration and Partnerships: Facilitating collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including the WRC South Africa, BMGF, UKZN WASH Centre, Isle SA, UK expertise, and Dr. Carl Eichstadt.
Change Leadership: Incorporating change leadership principles to assist organizations in managing transitions and complexities effectively.
Outcomes:
Strategic Guidance Implementation: The UKZN WASH Centre has been supported on adoptation of the Strategic Sustainability Readiness Framework (SSRF). This is bolstered by sustainability practices and their aim for global competitveness.
Collaborative Success: The comprehensive framework emerged from a highly successful collaboration between pivotal stakeholders such as the Water Research Commission (WRC) South Africa, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the UKZN WASH Centre, Isle SA, UK expertise, and Dr. Carl Eichstadt. This concerted effort led to the development of a robust and all-encompassing framework.
Holistic Approach: Addressing critical water, socio-economic, financial, and just transition considerations through the multidimensional approach of the SSRF.
Institutional Strengthening: Encouraging the establishment of Centres of Excellence (COEs) and innovation institutes, contributing to the development of impactful RDI entities.
Strategic Dimensions: Highlighting 11 integrated dimensions within the SSRF, guiding organizations on aspects like leadership, innovation, culture, capability, architecture, financial planning, governance, stakeholder management, market demand, and change leadership.
Adaptability and Relevance: Providing adaptable dimensions that accommodate diverse organizations and their unique challenges, ensuring future-fit strategies.
Position Paper: Sharing insights and project outcomes through a Position Paper.