Where do innovation projects come from?

AI-generated with prompt: a lightbulb delivered by a stork, watercolor

Innovation projects are not delivered by storks, I can tell you that much 😉

There are many different sources you can tap into to initiate and grow your innovation pipeline. These 6 can help you get started.

TLDR:
⬆️ Bottom up - employees, customers
⬇️ Top down - strategy, regulation
🔄 Ecosystem - new tech, open innovation
By being strategic about identifying ideas and validating them, you can make impact for your customers, employees and organisation.


⬆️ Bottom up

Internal ideas: employees have firsthand knowledge of processes and challenges, making them a valuable source of ideas. They might be looking for a better way to deal with the 1000 emails they get daily, or streamlining access to documents. Their current workarounds can be a great start for a bigger project.

Customer feedback: customers will tell you what works and what doesn't. Make sure you listen. Their feedback can inspire new product features, improved services, or entirely new products that better meet their needs.


⬇️ Top down

Business strategy: to me, it’s important that innovation efforts (and spending) are aligned with business goals, now and in the future. Innovation projects can close the gap between where you are now and where you want to be.

Regulatory changes: any kind of change provides a window to try something new. Changes in regulations can open up opportunities to those who are ready to adapt and innovate.


🔄 Ecosystem

Technology advances: monitoring tech trends and their potential applications can help in identifying new opportunities. Advances in tech can suddenly make what's been impossible possible.

Open innovation: tap into external contributors, such as freelancers, academics, start-ups or other companies for a fresh perspective. By sharing challenges and experiences, you can already walk away with more insights and inspiration.


I’ve seen a lot of organisations focus mostly on new technology as source for innovation projects. That outside-in approach works for some. I am personally a bigger fan of starting bottom up, prioritising ideas that align with the strategy and bringing in (new) technology after validating the problem and solution requirements (if any technology is needed at all).

If the latest and greatest in technology inspired your current innovation efforts, awesome! Just make sure it's linked back to real customer and employee needs. Don't fall in love with a shiny solution, fall in love with solving the problem instead.