In layman’s terms, it is simply the who, what, when, where, why, and how of a proposed solution. Let’s take a moment to thank all the laymen out there for giving us an excuse to drop the corporate jargon and get to the point. There are four key elements to an innovation problem statement:
Using a problem statement to guide solutions is integral to innovation management. The most important thing to remember when guiding an organization’s innovation efforts is that it won’t be linear. It will be more like a series of trial and error. If innovation were as simple as coming up with an idea and making it happen, everyone and their mother would be doing it.
Enterprise-level innovation requires a high level of commitment and collaboration, paired with an airtight business innovation process. Ensuring that your organization doesn’t lose sight of the goal is essential. In part, this is why an innovation problem statement must be accessible and transparent. It will serve as a constant reminder for employees to align their thinking with the primary goal.
Since a problem statement will guide the sheer scope of your innovation efforts, it must be precise and impactful. Like throwing an ax! Except, the kind of open-mindedness we’re striving for doesn’t involve a potential trip to the emergency room. Consider filling out the template below based on the four elements of an innovation problem statement above.
Innovation Problem Statement Formula: |
How can we [objective] for [consumer] in order to solve [problem] and avoid [consequences]. |
The definition provided above will help you ensure that your innovation problem statement meets all the requirements. But why stop there? Meeting requirements gets the job done, but exceeding them gets it done well. rready’s KICKBOOK provides an in-depth walkthrough for crafting the ideal innovation problem statement.
For those who haven’t gained access to the KICKBOOK yet, don’t sweat it. Check out the video below. Then, we’ll walk you through an example. Check us out to get your hands on the real thing.
Let’s look at an example of a good innovation problem statement that checks all the boxes: “How can we provide the tools to help people drive meaningful innovation without wasting resources?”
The portion of the problem statement that says “help people” indicates that people need assistance in facilitating intrapreneurship.
The end of this problem statement reads, “...without wasting resources.” This indicates that resource waste is a negative effect of failed innovation efforts.
Although identifying the problem often implies the objective, it’s vital to ensure it is clearly stated. In this example, “drive meaningful innovation” indicates that meaningful innovation is the end goal.
The innovation problem statement above includes the phrase “provide the tools.” Therefore, it can be deduced that the solution will require the organization to provide a product or service.
Every company is different, but there’s no denying that innovation managers of all kinds face similar setbacks. Your innovation problem statement should indeed serve as your guiding light. Still, the right tools and management methods must be there to support it. Making your problem statement accessible should be the gateway to a more transparent process overall.
At rready, we approach inclusivity by providing each member of your organization with a tangible toolkit for innovation—The KICKBOX. It guides employees through the complicated innovation process while simultaneously strengthening their relationship with your organization. The KICKBOX methodology facilitates the implementation process focusing on idea implementation, not only ideation. This is accomplished through coaching but supported by technology—because innovation management takes more than just consultations.
You bring the problems, and we’ll help you build your next solution. Contact us to connect with one of rready's innovation experts today.
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