Optimal Structure in the Innovation Process

After completing my university degree, I was in charge of my first project as a function developer in a large global corporation. Back then, it was difficult for us to save one of our business areas, which at that time only had a market share of a few percent. The team performed many attempts in the classic way of brainstorming and classic development. Unfortunately, all of these efforts have been unsuccessful.

Then we asked a consulting firm for help. They implemented a structured workflow with the aim of developing innovations. We carried out a project and won some attractive solutions from it. And “suddenly”, after the introduction of the new product, our company moved from a niche player to the market leader in the key markets. This opened my eyes and I realized that structure helps in the innovation process.

Over the next few years, I had to learn that not only structure is important, but also a solid gut feeling.

Let’s compare it to a car navigation system. You must not blindly trust any navigation unless you want to land on a narrow forest road with a semitrailer truck. Still, no one can deny that a good navigation system helps and makes the driver’s life much easier and safer. Similar to a navigation system, optimal innovation processes help a modern company – they are simply “a must”.

Which “navigation systems” should you use for innovations in your case? This cannot be answered in general, since differently structured innovation processes are optimally suited for different topics and companies. Let’s talk about it!

More details can be found at Structure work on Innovation!

“Creativity is good. Structure in addition – better! “