A Systemic Approach to Innovation
We can’t innovate in isolation. For problems to be solved and opportunities to grow, we need collaboration and diverse expertise. We also need more than brainstorm sessions to drive change. It’s great to get the creative juices flowing and generate ideas, but they need structured support to go from idea to successful innovation.
The most transformative innovations are the result of carefully coordinating all aspects of an organisations ecosystem, including its people, processes, technology, and external environment. This coordination ensures that innovative ideas are not just brainstormed but are also evaluated for their practicality, potential impact, and how well they fit with the long-term goals. By understanding the interactions among various system components, innovators can spot unique opportunities and foresee challenges that might not be immediately visible.
That’s why I lean on my systems engineering background and take a systemic approach to innovation.
Why Use a Systemic Approach to Innovation?
Structure Complexity Innovation means dealing with complex challenges. Problems and opportunities are constantly evolving, just like the environment you operate in. Systems thinking structures this complexity. By understanding the dynamics at play, you move away from reactive projects and towards strategic innovation.
Holistic Perspective
We can lose ourselves in problems right in front of us or new technologies coming our way. A systemic approach helps with taking a step back and see how everything is connected. This broader perspective helps you spot opportunities and pitfalls you might miss otherwise, ensuring your innovation approach is more robust and impactful.
Problem-solving Oriented
Go beyond superficial symptoms to understand the root causes of issues. This deep-dive into the heart of the problem often reveals innovative solutions that are more effective and sustainable, preventing the same issues from recurring.
Measurable Outcomes
Defining clear, tangible goals turns the abstract into the concrete. This allows you to collect relevant data, track progress, measure impact, and tweak the approach as needed. Evidence-based decision-making is key to driving successful outcomes across the organisation.
Stakeholder Management
Everyone has a role to play when it comes to innovation in an organisation. A systemic approach highlights how different parts of the organisation affect each-other. This encourages cross-functional teams to work together. In addition, spending time with your stakeholders to understand their needs and perspectives often helps with buy-in, and ensures your innovation efforts are not just viable but embraced.
What Does A Systemic Approach Look Like?
The systemic approach to innovation I developed combines a phased process with a system map.
The process is structured around five key phases: Understand, Design, Test, Execute, and Integrate. It incorporates the principles of design thinking, lean startup, and agile methodologies to enhance its effectiveness and adaptability. This multidisciplinary blend ensures that the process is not only structured and efficient but also deeply rooted in understanding user needs, rapid prototyping, and flexibility in execution.
The system map builds on the system diagram used in engineering. It visualises an organisation and it’s components in the wider ecosystem. Each phase of the process interacts with multiple parts of the map, either directly affecting components or influencing the relationships between them.
The 5-phased process ensures a structured yet flexible path, while the diagram offers clarity, ensuring that everyone is navigating in the same direction. Together, they create a powerful framework for driving sustainable innovation in a complex and ever-changing world.