Unveiling the Marvel of Solutions in Our
Hyper-Connected World
What’s a ‘solution’? In the simplest terms, it is an answer to a problem. It is obvious that each time we speak of a solution, there is always an inevitable reference to a problem as well. However, in today’s hyper-connected world, our problems are not simple or straightforward with some obvious solutions. The present societal challenges (read social issues) are increasingly complex, which affects a diverse range of people across borders. For instance, imagine how climate change in the Himalayas impacts agrarian communities, food security, health, seasons & disasters, livelihoods, wildlife, the economy of not just India, but for our neighbours as well.
To tackle these problems, we need solutions that not only solve these problems one time but also equip others to adapt these solutions to their own contexts. Thus, solutions need to be:
- flexible (modifications to meet different conditions, resources, and needs should be possible),
- inclusive (people across the socio-economic background, gender, or abilities spectrum should be able to access), and
- sustainable (able to endure environmental, economic, and social changes)
Only when communities can collaborate, co-create solutions, and share knowledge, will the world become a better place for the generations to come. Here, solutions designed for scale fruitfully embody the necessities of problem-solving, innovation, and progress.
A prime example of such a scalable solution is the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in India. Launched in 2016 by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), UPI revolutionised the digital payment landscape by providing a simple, secure, and instant way to transfer money between bank accounts using a mobile device. By bringing financial operations to a straightforward mobile app, UPI significantly contributed to financial inclusion, enabling access to banking services for the unbanked and underbanked populations. Additionally, UPI’s open API architecture allowed multiple applications (Paytm, Google Pay, PhonePe, etc.) to adopt the solution, giving users the freedom to choose the platform they found most convenient. This flexibility was a crucial factor in the rapid and widespread adoption of UPI, as it catered to diverse user preferences while maintaining seamless interoperability across different banking and financial apps.
The exponential growth of UPI transactions underscores how a well-designed, user-centric solution can scale effectively, driving substantial positive impact on societal levels, fostering economic development, and simplifying business operations.
Navigating Challenges in Capacity Building for Education Leaders
Another example of a complex large-scale problem is building the capacity of education leaders in India’s education system. These education leaders (teachers, school leaders, community members, administrators, education officers, etc. responsible for ensuring an enriching learning environment for children) have a significant impact on the learning outcomes of students. Enabling them to be better leaders is an important need, especially with the current state of public schools.
The multitude of administrative and pedagogical responsibilities they handle are frequently affected by political systems, changing policies and curriculums, the needs of their students belonging to diverse demographics, and much more. Therefore, any learning and improvement initiatives for these leaders need to be designed to accommodate these challenges in order to be relevant and that will successfully enable them to continuously improve their classrooms and schools.
This is a three-part series on Scalable Solutions. Read more about the essential characteristics of scalable solutions for addressing large-scale problems and how ShikshaLokam’s innovative design philosophy empowers education leaders through micro-improvement projects.
Meet the Authors
Prateek Agarwal
Prateek is currently the Senior Lead -Product Management at ShikshaLokam. Driven by a naturally curious mind, Prateek finds joy in expanding his knowledge in diverse areas. Outside work, he is often found playing board games, exploring different investment strategies, staying up-to-date with the latest trends in the industry or watching movies. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Technology from the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun.
Sanjana DM
Sanjana has always been a firm believer in the power of effective design to drive meaningful change. Her interest in travel, music, art & culture inspires her to think beyond the conventional. A former Teach for India fellow, she currently works with ShikshaLokam to design product solutions for education leaders across the country.
Prateek Agarwal
Prateek is currently the Senior Lead -Product Management at ShikshaLokam. Driven by a naturally curious mind, Prateek finds joy in expanding his knowledge in diverse areas. Outside work, he is often found playing board games, exploring different investment strategies, staying up-to-date with the latest trends in the industry or watching movies. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Technology from the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun.
Sanjana DM
Sanjana has always been a firm believer in the power of effective design to drive meaningful change. Her interest in travel, music, art & culture inspires her to think beyond the conventional. A former Teach for India fellow, she currently works with ShikshaLokam to design product solutions for education leaders across the country.