A pat on the back
I’m excited to share the journey of our SAP Social Sabbatical team as we partnered with our host client, We-Recycle, to introduce process improvements and automation.
Our host client
We-Recycle is a non-governmental organization with a mission that rests on three pillars: collecting recyclable plastics, educating and motivating the community to combat plastic pollution, and organizing activities such as awareness campaigns, clean-ups, and activation campaigns.
Our team focused on the first pillar, plastic collection. The goal was to standardize and reduce manual processes and automate report generation. Having a streamlined and efficient plastic collection process would help the We-Recycle staff to redirect their valuable time and energy toward the remaining pillars of their mission.
The perfect team doesn’t exi-
…for the job, at least 😉
PYXERA Global and SAP did an amazing job of matching all our profiles together. Each of us brings unique roles and responsibilities, but we all share a strong background in technology. While there are areas where our skills intersect, each team member possesses a distinct area of expertise.
Imposter syndrome talking: I am the oldest yet the most inexperienced person on this team. I managed to set a humble state and shift my focus to appreciate their work discipline and practices. Prithvi and Tamara are both experts in their fields and I was in awe just seeing how they work. I made sure to observe, listen, and learn from them. They both inspire me to become better and elevate the standards in my work.
It’s amazing to see how professionalism and humor go well together within our team. Our personalities complement each other, and I felt comfortable around them. We had a lot of memories and adventures together! One that I will never forget was walking in the pitch black street, waiting for the sunrise outside 7 Cascades 😆. We ate a lot, danced a lot, sunbathed a lot, and bantered a lot! We enjoyed spending time together while making sure that the project moves forward.
Our work
During the kickoff, we met with the We-Recycle team: Livio Bien-Aime, Stephanie Jacquin, Elaine King, and Antoine King. We immediately saw their passion for saving the environment through recycling and public education. Their open and transparent communication allowed us to gain a deep understanding of their operations, challenges, and aspirations.
We used Design Thinking to better understand the users, needs, problems, and processes for us to come up with the right solution. We created personas, mapped their current user journeys, and created mockups. Then we started to generate ideas and researched the best tool to be used based on different selection criteria such as usability, maintainability, and user experience. We had brainstorming sessions on process improvements and integration of technology into our future solution.
We went to shadow and closely observe the collection team as they carried out their activities. We gained crucial insights into the actual process and identified potential challenges. This observation enabled us to refine and tailor our solution to ensure its viability and effectiveness within the organization.
A typical workday for our team, be it in the We-Recycle office or the hotel, involves creating a schedule and to-dos for the day. We have always worked efficiently and kept communications open for any questions and concerns. We made sure to inform Stephanie about our progress resulting in a short and fast feedback loop.
As consultants, we participated in WeRecycle activities such as the Earth Day exhibit at Le Nautilus Albion and beach cleanup at La Morne Beach. We also did a short video for International Girls in ICT Day to encourage girls who wish to pursue careers in ICT.
Our solution
We developed a user-friendly form designed for the collection team to input information daily, based on the recyclables gathered from various bin locations around Mauritius. These data entries were then stored in a centralized spreadsheet, where necessary processing and aggregation takes place. By having a single source of information, report generation would be a seamless and real-time process.
The solution was successfully tested and adopted by the organization even before the completion of the Social Sabbatical program. It was proof of the collaborative effort between both teams, resulting in a practical and efficient solution that met We-Recycle’s needs and expectations.
Final thoughts
It is so fulfilling to see how our solution is being utilized by the client to achieve their goals. This experience has been inspiring and it has reminded me of the importance of purpose-driven work and the satisfaction that comes from making a tangible difference.
In one of the pre-work activities, we were taught about the significance of actively listening to our client’s needs and current circumstances. This has been a valuable lesson for me throughout this journey. Initially, when I read the scope of work, my mind raced with ideas, imagining a solution built on ReactJS, utilizing LCNC platforms, and more.
It was a good thing I immediately shifted and realized that all those didn’t matter because there was still much to explore and discover. I didn’t go to Mauritius with a solution prepared in my mind, I was eager to absorb and learn about the organization and the capabilities of our team. Through constant communication and effective collaboration, we were able to deliver a successful project for We-Recycle.
All of us deserved a pat on the back. ✋
