The Innovation Cycle
Innovation is a cycle, and you can start at any point. When the cycle breaks, you pile up innovation debt: in tools, processes and resources.
Design: does anyone want this?
The Design pillar is about desirability. Before you build, find out whether the people you're building for: do they have the problem you're solving, and care enough to change how they work.
Build: can we make it work, reliably?
The Engineering pillar is about feasibility. Build the smallest thing that proves the idea, then make it dependable. This is also where we reflect on whether we have the necessary expertise and specialities to get it done.
Measure: is it worth it?
The Data pillar is about viability. Great data visibility means greater insights and better actionable plans and strategies. This pillar is where we decide if something is worth pursuing, or knowing our losses early and cutting things off.
Sustain: can we maintain it?
The Enablement pillar is about sustainability. This is where we identify repetitive patterns, introduce automated systems, and reducing manual human interventions. Keep it running with systems, habits, funds, people and support.
When the cycle breaks (whether intentionally or unintentionally), you will pile up innovation debt: in tools, processes and resources.
Innovation debt
The diagnostic places you on the cycle and shows where your debt is building up, with a 30-day plan to reduce it down.