Systematic innovation: Five questions to Ask Before Starting the Journey

Five Questions to Ask Before your Innovation JourneySystematic Innovation Series Part 2

@ innovationdetective. Visit us at www.facebook.com/innovationdetective.

In Part 2 we discuss the Five (5) questions that must be answered BEFORE you start your innovation journey…

Happy Innovating!

www.facebook.com/innovationdetective


Let us look at what those questions are…

Many budding innovators rush into implementing their ideas

without asking the Five (5) fundamental questions.

Result…failure to taste success


Five Questions to Ask before starting the Innovation Journey

1. Whose point of view?

2. What Challenge or Problem?

3. Significance to the stakeholder?

4. Existing or Known solutions?

5. Level of interest of stakeholder to Alternatives?

• Have you identified the relevant stakeholder?

• Is the stakeholder facing any challenge or problem?

• Is the challenge or problem significant from the stakeholder’s point of view?

• Why are existing solutions to address that challenge or problem not good enough?

• Is the customer interested in alternative solutions or alternative ways of implementing existing solutions?


If the Answer is a NO or DON’T Know to

Any One of the Five (5) questions then the Innovation Journey

cannot begin…

Designed by Freepik.com


A. Potholes on RoadsGood application of the Five (5) Questions


Problem faced by citizens:

Potholes on the roads left

unattended by civic bodies for

ages!

Picture source: https://www.facebook.com/royalbaada

l

Click icon to add picture


Potholes: Let us answer the Five questionsQuestion Answer

1. From whose point of view are we trying to innovate?

The citizens who have to travel on those roads.

2. What is the challenge faced by the stakeholder?

High risk of injury, damage to vehicles, Delays and congestion.

3. Is the challenge significant to the stakeholder? Yes

4. What are the existing solutions available and why are they not good

enough?

1. Explore alternative roads but they are either congested or with similar

problems2. Appeal to the civic bodies to repair

the road but they tend not to be responsive

5. Is the stakeholder interested in alternatives?

Citizens would love if someone could get the civic bodies to be more

proactive!


Solution:

Art to force action from key

stakeholders!

Response from civic bodies is

immediate!!

Picture source: https://www.facebook.com/royalbaada

l



For more examples of innovative techniques on potholes pleasevisit the link below:http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2013/sep/05/pothole-politics-campaigners-get-creative


B. Understaffed Traffic Cops Managing City TrafficGood application of the Five (5) Questions


Traffic Cops: Let us answer the Five questions

Question Answer

1. From whose point of view are we trying to innovate?

The traffic cops who have to manage city traffic in Bengaluru (Bangalore).

2. What is the challenge faced by the stakeholder?

Only 3,000 traffic cops available versus 6,000 required

3. Is the challenge significant to the stakeholder?

Yes it is difficult to manage the traffic given the absence of technology also

4. What are the existing solutions available and why are they not good

enough?

1. Ask existing staff to overstretch2. Focus on key roads/intersections

5. Is the stakeholder interested in alternatives?

The police would love to find a way of managing traffic with existing staff


Solution: Cardboard Cops to deter speeding drivers!

Future plans: 1. Alternate cardboard cops with real cops from time to time.

2. Also add cameras to cardboard cops to catch speeding vehicles)

Picture source:

http://www.oneindia.com/2013/03/26/believe-it-or-not-cardboard-cops-patrol-bangalore-roads-1180359.html



Want to stay in touch with us?

www.facebook.com/innovationdetective

Email: [email protected]


http://www.facebook.com/innovationdetective

Systematic innovation: Five questions to Ask Before Starting the Journey

Leadership & Management

Transcript of Systematic innovation: Five questions to Ask Before Starting the Journey