Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has launched the MyDEWAIdeas portal for its staff to promote creativity and innovation in the work place. DEWA recognises the role of staff ideas and suggestions in improving the work environment and enhancing the services provided to customers and partners. DEWA is the first organisation in the region to use HYPE Software, which allows staff to collaborate and vote on the best ideas submitted, similar to social media sites. The project was inaugurated by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, in a ceremony attended by DEWAs Executive Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, and staff.

The project focuses on improving the work environment and enhancing communication among staff at all levels. It also facilitates studying and discussing their suggestions and ideas with all divisions and departments, including DEWAs management.

MyDEWAideas, DEWAs new programme for creativity and innovation supports the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the National Innovation Strategy, which His Highness launched to make the UAE one of the most innovative countries in the world. The UAEs current annual investment in innovation is worth AED 14 billion, of which AED 7 billion go to research and development. And it will increase in the next few years, said Al Tayer.

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said that Governments that set an example for innovation have the power to implant a nationwide culture of creativity. When such a culture takes root, people feel inspired to run further with their ideas, to aim higher with their ambitions, and to pursue bigger dreams. Innovation is a key pillar and a corporate value, which we adopt at DEWA. We work to implement the directives of His Highness to improve government work in all areas, foster a culture of creativity and innovation, and disseminate and spread it as an official standard practice. This will help to develop government services, face challenges, and contribute to improving the efficiency and performance of government work, added Al Tayer.

MyDEWAideas is the first creativity programme within the Government of Dubai where employees are actively encouraged to vote and comment on other employees ideas and to collaborate and share best practices. Our new software will enable us to capture all employee driven ideas within DEWA, providing a central repository to manage innovation, and ensure that we are continually improving as an organisation. One of the greatest assets within any organisation is its people. The most successful and innovative organisations recognise this, and at DEWA we are committed to giving our employees the tools and training they need to make DEWA not only the most innovative government organisation in Dubai but also the most innovative utility provider in the world, he added.

MyDEWAideas is just the first initiative of many that we will launch this year. In March, we will launch a new customer ideas programme and later on we will launch the DEWA Leadership Innovation Toolbox. Innovation and creativity are the cornerstone of our organisational approach. We strive to achieve the best results thanks to the best processes, practices, and experiences we develop and implement. Our efforts in this field have led to DEWA winning several prestigious national and global awards. To mention a few, DEWA has won the Ideas Emirates Award 2014 for innovation in promoting e-Government, the Innovation in Smart Government award at Ideas UAE 2014 Conference, the Innovation Award at Ideas UK 2014, and the Best Programme Administrator of the year at the 71st Ideas America Conference, noted Al Tayer.

To be successful in the future, we need everyone to support this initiative. I would like you to all go back to your divisions and spread the word, MyDEWAideas is here and is waiting for your ideas, concluded Al Tayer.

The portal is a new step towards achieving DEWAs development plans to manage talents, and develop staff creativity and innovation. All suggestions and ideas will be taken into consideration. Feasible and constructive suggestions will be implemented and rewarded, said Dr. Yousef Ibrahim Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources at DEWA.

DEWA adopts the Creativity Lab approach as a standard practice that helps to include its staff in all its policies and decision, and to learn their ideas and suggestions that improve work at DEWA. The MyDEWAIdeas project will set new standards for our organisational excellence, which in turn will make our customers happier, added Al Akraf.

DEWA launches various initiatives and programmes to improve creativity and innovation across all of DEWA, and source ideas from its customers. DEWA organised the Contractors and Consultants' Creativity Lab to exchange views, discuss ways to enhance collaboration with consultants and contractors, and listen to their ideas and suggestions. DEWA also launched a brainstorming campaign on social media to encourage and support creative ideas that contribute to improving upgrade performance, improve services, and make customers, partners, and stakeholders happier.