An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November / December 2023 www.military.ie/magazine 36 | DefenceSparx BY COMDT MARIE PIGOTT PHOTOS PROVIDED BY COMDT MARIE PIGOTT 12 WEEK INNOVATION PROGRAMME Recognising the need for innovation in addressing real challenges faced by the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence, the DefenceSparx programme emerges as a beacon of creativity and solution-oriented thinking. In early October 2022, 24 dedicated members from both entities converged at the prestigious Guinness Enterprise Centre to embark on a transformative journey of collaborative problem- solving and creative exploration. DefenceSparx is not just a program; it is an exciting journey towards innovation. It is designed to empower participants to develop creative and effective solutions to the real challenges encountered by the DF and DOD. The programme is a dynamic blend of structured learning, immersive experiences, and hands-on problem-solving. HOW DOES IT WORK? Structured as a collaborative effort, DefenceSparx brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. Participants work in small teams guided by experts, all driven towards a common goal – developing innovative solutions to specific challenges currently faced by the DF. Participants immersed themselves in the intricacies of the challenges, brainstorming ideas, and working collectively to craft effective solutions. The culmination of their efforts takes the form of a pitch to decision-makers within the DF. This pivotal moment determines who has the best pitch and whether the solution gets the green light for further support and the opportunity to develop a prototype. KEY FEATURES OF DEFENCESPARX • Hands-on Learning: Participants engage actively in the problem- solving process, applying their skills and knowledge in a real-world context. • Guidance from Experts: Seasoned experts in innovation and problem-solving guide and support participants throughout the programme. • Broadened Perspectives: DefenceSparx is not just about solving specific challenges; it's about developing a mind-set. Participants gain important innovation skills and a broader perspective. • Blended Learning: The programme is delivered through a blend of on-site and virtual programme days. This flexible approach allows participants to engage with the programme regardless of their location, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity. • Guinness Enterprise Centre (GEC): On-site days take place in the GEC, a leading business incubator and start up hub in Ireland. FORMATION OF TEAMS AND ONSITE COLLABORATION Divided into five teams, each team immediately began identifying challenges within their respective domains and exploring the potential of their ideas. Rigorous validation and evaluation ensured that proposed solutions were not only innovative but also practical and impactful in addressing identified challenges. PITCHING TO SENIOR LEADERSHIP After weeks of hard work, the teams faced a pivotal moment - the presentation of their final propositions to the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and the Secretary General of the Department of Defence. This high-stakes pitch was the opportunity for teams to showcase the potential of their ideas and the transformative impact they could have on specific areas within the DF and DOD. SUCCESS AND FUTURE IMPACT The DefenceSparx 2022 teams demonstrated exceptional ingenuity, with three of the five teams securing Senior Leadership support for the prototyping or trialling of their proposals. This critical endorsement ensures that these projects will move forward and the outcomes of these trials will inform future decisions regarding scaling and roll-out, potentially shaping the future landscape of Defence operations. HOW TO GET INVOLVED To join DefenceSparx, interested individuals must be recommended by their Commanding Officer (CO) or Branch Lead. This endorsement ensures that participants not only have the motivation to learn and the desire to take on challenges but also align with the goals and values of the DF and DOD. The 2023 Defence Sparx programme commenced in September and culminated with the Final Pitch Day on the 30th of November in Baldonnel. The next DefenceSparx Programme will take place in late 2024 or early 2025. Visit defencesparx.com for more information. THE FOLLOWING ARE REPORTS FROM THREE OF THE TEAMS: Team 'Collabor8' by Eimear Ní Fhallúin Team: Comdt Barry Hannon, Comdt Ronan O'Reilly and Capt (AR) Niall Stringer. Members of Team SCIA explaining their project to the COS Members of Team Collabor8 discussing their innovation

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