Methods and Tools
Evaluate the Innovation Opportunity Space
Appraise the change in trends which demand innovation, and identify innovator knowledge gaps and in-going biases. See new ways to approach a challenge.
Set a Vision
Set an ideal-state vision for a problem in need of a solution or a solution in need of a problem to solve to identify differentiated performance dimensions and highlight strategic starting points.
Identify Actionable Innovation Motifs
Select specific innovation archetypes which relate to distinct fundamental patterns of technology, organization, and market implementation strategies to guide an agile pursuit of innovation.
Map the Innovation Journey
Plan for the iterative nature of the innovation process by accounting for critical resources, potential pitfalls, and new application spaces as a concept and its impact potential develop.
Develop a Shared Language of Innovation
Align at an organizational level on the characteristics, resourcing needs, leadership approach for different forms of innovation
Frame a Complex Problem
Structure previously “intractable” problems into actionable forms that allow for the systematic exploration of underlying issues and root cause
Define the Problem Space
Rapidly explore the space in which the problem exists in terms of sought stakeholder purposes in specific contexts.
Develop a Systems View
Develop a systems view to articulate new activity focal points, collaboration opportunities, and/or future growth trajectories
Forecast Ecosystem Implications
Map issues critical to relevant stakeholders to develop a networked understanding of the problem and barriers to change (i.e. skills, wealth, access, time, behavior, attitude, belief).
Ideate on Solution Spaces
Distill the problem to its first principle form to invite interactions with new schools of thought and produce multiple alternative solution spaces (i.e. across industries and other application spaces)
Evaluate and Select Solution Paths
Weigh performance tradeoffs and headroom to assess high-impact solutions for growth
Manage Uncertainty
Define emergent paths based on idea/solution assumptions, success metrics, and small-scale assumption tests.
Facilitate Adoption
Develop a go-to-market strategy that communicates insights and creates key relationships to drive solution acceptance among beneficiaries along the adoption journey.
Go Beyond the Moonshot
Select paths to earn and learn with a lily pad strategy. Scale with this lower risk strategy to allow for continued resource acquisition and learning throughout concept development.
Measure Impact
Measure impact as the extent of reach, ability to shift the paradigm, the longevity of the change, and the significance of the change