In 2010, a robotic arm was selected as the technology to be deployed to realise the above opportunity. When issues arose shortly after commissioning, the solution provider was willing to engage and provide resources and knowledge to the project to optimise the technology, which was very helpful. 

In a “learning first” approach, however, a cross functional team, including the prospective solution provider, could have developed a series of activities to prove or disprove this capability prior to investment and derive alternative set ups. The “learning first” approach reduces expensive and timely ‘loopbacks’ (ie returning to a previous stage later in the project, such as designing after implementation) which are a common feature of traditional “staged gate” approaches. 

The “learning first” approach would have provided a much better outcome for the organisation. Solution providers are often used as a resource to assist in closing knowledge gaps, however where the providers themselves are unsure they must be willing to engage collaboratively with the client to develop the right offering. 

This shift to a ‘partner’ approach will be key to the success of solution providers in the future as more clients move to a “learning first” method for implementing technology. Another knowledge gap that the Southern Spars team recognised in hindsight was in the technical set up of the equipment. An internal team tasked with optimising and broadening the capabilities of the technology were originally unfamiliar with all the technical requirements needed for the robot to be precise and machine effectively. Following commissioning, the team uncovered multiple limiting factors that they overcame through creative problem solving.