Innovation & Change Management In Engineering Projects Training Course

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern industry, fostering Innovation and adeptly managing Change are no longer just buzzwords but critical capabilities for engineers and project leaders to drive competitive advantage and sustainable growth. This essential training course is meticulously designed to equip engineering professionals, project managers, and technical innovators with the strategic insights and practical tools required to cultivate a culture of innovation, identify opportunities for improvement, and lead successful change initiatives within complex engineering projects. Participants will gain a robust understanding of innovation frameworks, change leadership models, resistance management, and communication strategies, enabling them to transform challenges into opportunities and drive impactful, future-proof solutions. Our comprehensive curriculum emphasizes hands-on application, real-world case studies, and best practices pertinent to the dynamic infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology sectors in Kenya, empowering you to become an agent of positive transformation.

This engineering innovation leadership course is crucial for individuals and organizations in Kenya striving to stay ahead of the curve, adapt to new technologies, and optimize processes for enhanced efficiency and resilience. Mastering organizational change management for engineers, implementing design thinking for project innovation, and understanding strategies for overcoming resistance to change are indispensable for fostering continuous improvement, leveraging emerging technologies, and delivering projects that truly disrupt and create value. This program offers an unparalleled opportunity to elevate your expertise in strategic innovation management and leading transformational projects, positioning your organization as a pioneer in engineering excellence and driving significant economic progress across East Africa.

Target Audience

• Project Managers
• Engineering Managers
• Research & Development (R&D) Engineers
• Design Engineers
• Process Improvement Specialists
• Technical Leads / Team Leaders
• Change Agents in Engineering Organizations

Course Objectives

• Understand the fundamental concepts of innovation and its critical role in engineering projects.
• Master various innovation frameworks and methodologies (e.g., Design Thinking, Open Innovation).
• Learn the principles of effective change management and its application in engineering environments.
• Develop skills in identifying opportunities for innovation within existing projects and processes.
• Understand the dynamics of organizational change and common reasons for resistance.
• Apply strategies for leading, communicating, and implementing change initiatives effectively.
• Develop techniques for fostering a culture of creativity and experimentation within engineering teams.
• Learn to manage the innovation pipeline from ideation to implementation.
• Understand the importance of risk-taking and learning from failure in innovation.
• Explore the role of technology and digitalization in driving innovation and change.
• Develop strategies for overcoming barriers to innovation and change adoption.
• Drive continuous improvement, adaptability, and competitive advantage in engineering projects.
• Position yourself as a proactive leader capable of navigating and shaping future engineering landscapes.

DURATION

10 Days

COURSE CONTENT

Module 1: Introduction to Innovation in Engineering module

• Defining innovation: incremental, disruptive, radical
• The strategic imperative of innovation in today's engineering landscape
• Sources of innovation: technology, market needs, process improvements
• Innovation in different engineering disciplines (civil, mechanical, electrical, software)
• The role of engineers as innovators

Module 2: Innovation Frameworks and Methodologies module

• Design Thinking: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test
• Open Innovation: Collaborating for external ideas
• Lean Startup principles for innovation in projects
• Brainstorming and ideation techniques (e.g., SCAMPER, mind mapping)
• Creating an innovation funnel or pipeline

Module 3: Fundamentals of Change Management module

• What is change management? Its importance in projects
• Understanding the human side of change
• Models of change (e.g., Lewin's Change Model, Kotter's 8-Step Model)
• The role of the project manager and engineering leader as a change agent
• Identifying forces for and against change

Module 4: Leading Change in Engineering Projects module

• Communicating the vision and urgency for change
• Building a guiding coalition for change initiatives
• Empowering action and removing barriers to change
• Creating short-term wins to sustain momentum
• Anchoring new approaches in the culture

Module 5: Overcoming Resistance to Change module

• Understanding common reasons for resistance to change
• Strategies for identifying and addressing resistance effectively
• Empathy, active listening, and addressing concerns
• Negotiation and influence tactics in change management
• Creating a supportive environment for change adoption

Module 6: Culture of Innovation and Experimentation module

• Fostering psychological safety for idea generation
• Encouraging intelligent risk-taking and learning from failure
• Setting up innovation labs or sandboxes
• Rewarding creativity and out-of-the-box thinking
• Building a continuous learning environment

Module 7: Managing the Innovation Process module

• Idea generation and capture mechanisms
• Idea screening and selection criteria
• Prototyping and rapid iteration in engineering design
• Pilot projects and scaling successful innovations
• Measuring the impact and ROI of innovation initiatives

Module 8: Technology as an Enabler for Innovation & Change module

• Digitalization trends impacting engineering projects (e.g., AI, IoT, Digital Twins, BIM)
• Leveraging data analytics for innovative insights
• Automation and robotics in construction and manufacturing
• Cloud computing for collaborative innovation
• Cybersecurity considerations in new technologies

Module 9: Sustaining Change and Continuous Improvement module

• Institutionalizing new processes and practices
• Creating feedback loops for ongoing refinement
• Performance monitoring and metrics for sustained change
• Role of leadership in reinforcing new behaviors
• Integrating innovation and change into organizational strategy

Module 10: Case Studies and Practical Application module

• Analysis of successful innovation and change projects in engineering (global and Kenyan examples)
• Hands-on workshops: applying Design Thinking to an engineering challenge
• Developing a change management plan for a hypothetical engineering project
• Action planning for driving innovation and change in your organization
• Q&A and expert insights on specific challenges in engineering sector

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.