“DEWA has raised the importance of innovation to 40% in its strategic plan. This approach adheres to its vision of being a sustainable innovative world-class utility.”
Managing Director and CEO, DEWA
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Innovation management system CEN/TS 16555-1:2013 provides the framework for DEWA to respond to UAE Vision 2021.
2021
The 'UAE Vision 2021' defines six national priorities which emphasise the importance of innovation and technology. It is supported by an AED 2 billion fund.
BIS
LRQA identified a new perspective to assess and report on the innovations strategy, adhering to guidance within the CEN/TS 16555-1:2013 standard.
40%
DEWA has since raised the importance of innovation to 40% in it's strategic plan and received international recognition for it's innovation programmes.
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), part of the Government of Dubai, delivers electricity and water services to the citizens and residents of Dubai. Our client is continually working to achieve its vision to become ‘a sustainable, innovative, world-class utility,’ and has reached a number of significant milestones in recent years, including the launch of three smart initiatives to promote sustainability and renewable energy.
In 2010, DEWA recognised the importance of responding to a national call for innovation. That year, H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, launched the ‘UAE Vision 2021’. This highlighted six national priorities for government action, all of which emphasise the importance of innovation, research, science and technology. These priorities are supported by a AED 2 billion fund, which has further elevated the prominence of innovation, making it central to the strategies of both government bodies and private sector organisations.
While innovation has always been an essential focus area for DEWA, the challenge was making it a central theme that would influence all future strategic decisions, supporting the UAE Vision 2021. By embedding a culture of innovation throughout the organisation, and meeting innovation management system guidelines, DEWA found that it could achieve significant benefits. This would lead to continual improvement, enhanced creative capabilities, and a work environment that stimulated excellence and developed positive ideas. As a result, DEWA developed its Innovation Strategy to steer all its efforts.
DEWA is already certified by LRQA to IT Service Management System standard ISO/IEC 20000-1:2011. Based on a successful existing relationship, DEWA asked us to find an effective solution to support its new innovation strategy, bringing innovation to the forefront.
This approach ensured DEWA was well equipped to meet its innovation goals, ultimately increasing client value. DEWA now has the capability and support to manage and encourage open innovation, with a set of tools that enable employees to operate with a common understanding of processes and goals. A system is in place that encourages solutions to internal and external issues. The channels are there to work together to generate new ideas and develop them into tomorrow’s products, services and processes.
“DEWA has raised the importance of innovation to 40% in its strategic plan. This approach adheres to its vision of being a sustainable innovative world-class utility.”
Managing Director and CEO, DEWA
DEWA successfully achieved a statement of verification to the innovation management system technical standard CEN/TS 16555-1:2013. Since then, our client has accomplished several milestones including:
launching an Innovation Policy across the organisation
implementing a cultural programme, with 150 employees pitching innovative ideas
increasing cultural engagement through The Innovative Forces programme, with five leading innovators being recognised across the organisation.
International recognition
DEWA received the Best Innovation and Best Customer Focus awards at the UK’s Best Business Awards 2017. The awards recognise DEWA’s achievements in implementing the best possible standards for monitoring customer happiness to maintain continuous
improvement and exceed expectations. The judges also acknowledged DEWA’s commitment to developing the concept of innovation and spreading a culture of individual and institutional creativity.
This approach adheres to our vision of being a sustainable, innovative, world-class utility, and the Dubai Plan 2021 to create a city of happy, creative and empowered people.
Managing Director and CEO , DEWA
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