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The Nine-Step Innovation Process

October 9, 2008 – 11:02 am | by admin

The Nine-Step Innovation Process calls for alternating exploratory and concentrated thinking at each step. In this regard, exploratory thinking includes expanding thinking to look for new ideas, withholding judgment, accepting all possibilities, and looking for a quantity of ideas through new connections. In contrast, concentrated thinking includes contracting thinking to be more direct, making judgments and evaluating options, and looking for quality in line with overall strategic objectives.

There are three stages, understanding, imagination, and action, with three steps in each stage.

STEP	EXPLORATION	CONCENTRATION
UNDERSTANDING
Step 1	1- A	1- B
GATHERING INFORMATION	Choose the team that will address the problem. Explore the dynamics behind what the team thinks is the problem. Gather facts, opinions, and details from different perspectives. Apply “who/what/where/why/how/when” to the problem. Explore the external marketplace for more information	Analyze the problem and choose the best information, which helps you and your team to understand the problem better.
Step 2	2- A	2- B
CLARIFYING THE REAL PROBLEM	Broaden awareness and clarification of the problem. Identify and list the likely causes of the problem. Draft options for the “problem statements.”	Choose the “problem statement” that best describes what is believed to be the most significant or real problem
Step 3	3- A	3- B
SETTING INNOVATION GOALPOSTS	Explore the range of acceptability for options and solutions for this particular problem and explore important decision-making criteria. Review the Six BIG-Picture criteria.	Set the Innovation Goalposts
IMAGINATION
Step 4	4- A	4- B
SEEKING STIMULI	Explore the environment for signals and other information. Research past, present, and future. Explore multiple perspectives. Explore the marketplace.	Analyze and narrow down the stimuli.
Step 5	5- A	5- B
UNCOVERING INSIGHTS	Use your chosen stimuli and imagination to identify potential insights and discoveries. Suspend judgment while you are uncovering these insights. Use the Creative-Connections Powertools.	Choose the high-priority insights for further reflection
Step 6	6- A	6- B
IDENTIFYING IDEAS	Explore these high-priority insights for potential ideas to solve your real problem	Compare and select the best ideas based on the previously discussed Innovation Goalposts. Build these ideas into fuller concepts.
ACTION
Step 7	7- A	7- B
DEVELOPING THE INNOVATION ROADMAP	Take these concepts and build them into fuller plans. Investigate resource needs, timing, and responsibilities. Identify alternative plans.	Choose the optimal plan based on the Innovation Goalposts and predetermined criteria. Consider the impact this plan will have on the rest of the organization
Step 8	8- A	8- B
GAINING COMMITMENT	Explore commitment to the optimal plan. Identify who will support the plan. Prepare the plan for presentation.	Present the plan. Readjust the plan. Test elements of the plan if desired. Readjust the plan. Finalize commitment to the final plan.
Step 9	9- A	9- B
IMPLEMENTING THE INNOVATION ROADMAP	Release the final plan into action. Adjust the plan where needed.	Review the entire process and results, and share this learning.