Using Design Thinking to build regional cooperation of rescue teams

Issue

Phase 1 - Discovery

What: That was the starting question for the first phase of the programme. After we as research team got a picture of the setting (tools: data research, interviews), we started the programme with a first joint workshop in the form of a panel session. A panel session is a great way to connect with the client and get different perspectives on the partnership. In the Design Thinking method, understanding the need as well as possible is necessary to successfully carry out the rest of the phases (need = solution). Result of phase 1 is clarity on the why, everyone's attitude, common themes and the vision and way of working.

Phase 2 - Defining

In phase 2, all collected information is clustered to get to the core of a problem as much as possible; what makes the cooperation take the next step? Four pillars came out of the clustering: insight & overview, organisational set-up, policy agreements and culture. We then made a fit-gap analysis (tools: homework assignment, stickers) and identified what the main stumbling blocks are and priorities to work on now. An important step, after all, this is the starting point towards the future of the region. Result: priority must be given to understanding - knowing what each local rescue brigade does and what they do, before a model can be set up (how).

Phase 3 - Designing

Now that it is clear what underlies the issue, we use this phase to arrive at a solution direction. Workshop 2 was therefore all about concretisation. Delegates from each local rescue brigade brainstormed per working area (e.g. equipment, training, communication) how to make the cooperation workable across all brigades (tools: break-out, brainwriting). For each working area, they identified what common themes are, and where there are differences between brigades.

Phase 4 & 5 Development and testing

Workshop 2 was also about developing with a focus on ambition, goals & practical doing. After gaining insight per work area, participants went on to draw up a concrete (annual) plan (the what) and the organisational set-up was visualised (the how) - (tools: OGSM model, organisational chart).

An important part of working together is togetherness, which contributes to pillar 4 Culture. The rescue teams are moving away from the island feeling, and creating a foundation to which every rescue team contributes. Therefore, we lastly reflected on the core values (tool: Ballooning), where equality, learning from each other, group interest and transparency emerged as the most important.

• Understanding the 4 pillars of attention;
• Prioritisation of the 5 main connecting work areas;
• Insight & overview of who does what by work area;
• First steps towards an annual plan per working area.

IMPROVEN phases out and gives the Rescue Brigades room to take ownership. It is clear what the need is and which solution direction can be worked towards. Within the partnership, the Rescue Brigades can continue to work independently on the regional organisation of the future and test it through a pilot period.