Most organizations will dedicate time to developing strategies, designing new products, and ideating innovation. Set aside says, pull resources together, and take a systematic approach to think through issues and create opportunities. It is a valuable process.
Yet, for most organizations, innovation mainly falls short of expectations. Rarely is the idea that bad, but the way we execute it. Organizations lack discipline in the process of implementation. Often assumptions are made about who should lead an initiative; we look at a functional role and, by association, give accountability to that person. Yet, their skills, commitment, or even capacity may not be the ideal choice. What of the process, the rigidity in planning, identifying the primary tasks, developing a process for execution, and applying discipline in managing the process? Too often, it is loose and flexible because of the uncertainties, which often translate to’ I have not given the time to think this through and am looking to wing it.’
Organizations would be well advised to create a defined process for executing any plan. Decide who is involved, actions to be taken, timing, the process of review, interim and periodic assessments, revise the approach and even pivoting, consider interdependencies, and most importantly, establish resources to review and evaluate progress.
Rarely is it the idea that was so bad, but rather the way we implement and execute it, Bring structure and planning into your execution, and you will see positive results.
