Navrang (9 Colours) Cube Puzzle

What is Navrang Cube?

Navrang Cube is a simple playing cube composed of 27 identical small cubes of 9 different colours ( 3 cubes of same colour) . The cube has hole in 5 sides and a connector in one side so as to hold on the other cube. 

Problem Statement : We have  to dismantle the cube into 27 small cubes and assemble them, such that, all 9 colours appear on each face of a cube. 

People started taking up the challenge one after the other,someone just tried randomly to put the cube in a pattern as desire while few people tried to find the logic behind it.However in the end no one could solve the puzzle

 And then came in Prof. Prasad, who showed us how the task needed to be done by solving the Puzzle  using a well structured method.

  

      Step-1:  Grouping of same colour blocks

Same colour blocks were grouped together.As there was total 9 colors so 9 groups having 3 similar cubes is obtained

 

 Step-2:  Making rod of 3 different colour blocks

 Now make a rod of 3 different colou blocks & form 3 groups having same 3 color blocks but in different order.

 

Step-3 : Making a Plate with Rods

Now pickup one rod from each group formed inprevious step such that no rod from a gropu lie over another.

For better understanding Lets look at this video:

 

 

 

Learning  

• Every complex problem has a solution, it need to be identified and for that  rational and logical thinking is required.Problems are neither easy nor difficult its a perceived thing.For someone it may be too hard while for other person it may be too easy,it depends how a person approaches to problem and how he/she can apply the knowledge and creativity.Similar kind of attitude is require in any organization in solving any problem and achieving excellence.  

• As the cubes of same colour do not appear at the same face so should not be the people or resources of same skills and characters appear at the same position as there will not be efficient utilization of resources.

•  Organizations structure should have different level and in that level there should be diverse talent as seen it Navrang cube where there are different colour cube at different palne. But while diversity brings broader perspective,it is very important that different views are channelised towards a common goal i.e. growth of organisation.

   

3 Idiots Crossing the Valley-Learning management lessons

Teamwork 
  
The sum of the efforts undertaken by each team member for the achievement of the team’s objective is called team work. In other words, team work is the backbone of any team.

Every member in a team has to perform and contribute in his best possible way to achieve a common predefined goal. Individual performances do not count in a team and it is the collective performance of the team workers which matters the most.

To understand the concept of teamwork lets take an example of 3 people who are trying to cross a valley

 

  

Situation

• Three people who are one side of a valley have to cross the valley using a rod. The gap between the valleys is more than one step long but less than two steps. At any time, all the three people have to hold the rod and using synchronous movements, cross the valley.
• Any person, while on top of the valley (the “risky” position to be in) will be supported by other two people. All the three members here have interchanging roles in the completion of task. As can be noticed in the above image, all the three members have equal distribution of risky, half-risky and safe situations.
• The success of this exercise will depend upon how closely the three people work as part of a team, coordinate and communicate with each other through sound/signals and follow a synchronous movement

 
We can see that there are three people crossing the valley without much of a trouble. It has been possible only due to teamwork had made this impossible task possible. This is the beauty of team work

      Below figure explains the steps involved and sequence of process :

 

 

     Learning from the exercise:

      Planning

 

 

      For initaiating the activity or task a thorough planning is required.Planning sets and objective and direction for achieving a goal. In the valley crossing exercise, the plan was already formulated by the team members in the way they would cross the valley (take 9 steps with alternate and synchronous movement of left and right leg).

     
     
      Communication

  

      Effective communication is very necessary for the success of teamwork.Without proper communication team lacks direction and coordination.In valley crossing if thier had not been any communication, people would not have been able synchronize their steps and whole effort would have failed.

 

     Shared vision

       It is important to have a shared vision, which is clear and informs about where the organization  wants to head in the future. Vision needs to be shared with all the members of the organization so as to enable the members to work collectively in achieving the organization’s defined goal.
 

      Defined roles and responsibilities

     Roles and responsibilities need to be clearly defined for each and every individual in an organization since then, they will be aware of the kind of work that is expected from them. Valley crossing exercise was successful since each member knew when to move their leg (either left or right) and that it should be in sync with the other members of the team.

      

      Trust

 

      Organizations cannot be successful if there is no element of trust in it. As in the case of valley exercise, a person was ready to cross the valley while being in a “risky” and “half-risky” state only because he/she trusted the other members in the team. Similarly, in an organization, managers and employees need to trust each other.

     Innovation

 

    

     

    




    When a team is working effectively & efficiently, through brainstorming and collective effort innovation evolves.