Establish Creativity through World Class Manufacturing Pillars and Scatterfocus
- Umeme Africa

- Aug 4, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 23, 2023

In the dynamic world of manufacturing, creativity is a driving force behind innovation, problem-solving, and continuous improvement. World Class Manufacturing (WCM) pillars offer a structured approach to optimize processes and encourage employees to challenge the status quo. Creativity is more than just connecting ideas; it is the harmony of intelligence and imagination, a wild and disciplined dance of thoughts. It requires breaking free from established patterns and seeing the world through a different lens. Scatterfocus, often experienced during moments of rest or recharge, plays a key role in this process by connecting constellations of ideas swirling in our minds. When harnessed in WCM pillars, scatterfocus opens a gateway to boundless creativity.
What is Scatterfocus?
At its core, scatterfocus is a state of mind that allows the brain to wander freely, connecting disparate ideas, and exploring possibilities without limitations. It is the mode where intelligence has fun, and creativity thrives. Our brains naturally choose moments of scatterfocus during rest or recharge to connect the constellations of ideas swirling within our heads. This wandering of the mind is essential for problem-solving, generating new ideas, brainstorming, and recharging our mental energy.
The WCM Pillars and Problem-Solving Culture:
WCM pillars provide a solid support for problem-solving and continuous improvement in manufacturing. They encourage employees to take ownership of their processes, foster cross-functional collaboration, and explore creative solutions within standardized work procedures. By relying on data collection and analysis, each pillar seeks to optimize processes, reduce waste, and challenge the status quo. This environment sets the stage for applying scatterfocus in WCM.
The Power of Scatterfocus in WCM:
Scatterfocus offers a myriad of benefits for WCM implementation:
1. Setting Intentions and Planning for the Future: Entering scatterfocus mode allows employees to set intentions and plan for the future. By giving the mind space and time to wander, it naturally makes connections between current actions and future goals.
2. Recharging: Hyperfocus on tasks can drain mental energy. Scatterfocus replenishes this energy, enabling employees to focus for longer periods effectively.
3. Fostering Creativity: Scatterfocus facilitates the connection of old ideas to create new ones. It empowers employees to find innovative solutions to problems and think more expansively.
Why Are We Averse to Scatterfocus?
Our evolutionary history has wired our brains to be drawn to novel and potentially threatening or pleasurable stimuli. As a result, many find it challenging to be left alone with their thoughts, opting for distractions instead. However, scatterfocus taps into profound creativity by turning attention inwards and embracing the power of mind wandering.
Scatterfocus and WCM Pillar tasks:
In WCM pillars, scatterfocus enables employees to work with intentionality in three main ways:
1. Becoming Self-Aware: By allowing thoughts to wander, employees gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their thought processes.
2. Incubating Ideas: Scatterfocus provides the mental space for ideas to incubate and take shape, leading to remarkable insights.
3. Reflecting on Experiences: Employees can better process and find meaning in their experiences through scatterfocus.
The Three Styles of Scatterfocus in WCM Pillars:
WCM encourages intentional scatterfocus in three styles:
1. Capture Mode: Employees take time to sit with a pen and notebook, allowing thoughts to rise to the surface. This practice energizes and helps capture tasks, solutions, intentions, and more.
2. Problem-Crunching Mode: Ideal for brainstorming solutions, problem-crunching mode allows for non-linear thinking, leading to creative problem-solving.
3. Habitual Mode: As WCM pillars become a routine, habitual scatterfocus emerges. This mode is fun, encourages continued wandering of thoughts, and yields a wealth of creative insights.
Rethinking Boredom:
While modern distractions have eliminated boredom from our lives, it is essential to embrace it as an ally to creativity. Boredom allows for deeper thinking and incubation of ideas, while scatterfocus offers a gateway to creativity and innovation.
Incorporating scatterfocus within the framework of World Class Manufacturing pillars is a powerful catalyst for creativity and problem-solving. By allowing our minds to wander and connect dots, we tap into the immense potential of our intelligence having fun. Embracing scatterfocus in the workplace empowers employees to work with intention, recharge their mental energy, and envision a future of innovation and excellence. Let us embrace the art of scatterfocus and unlock the magic of creativity within the realm of World Class Manufacturing







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