Innovation Worksheet: Create an Organizational Definition of "Innovation"
It’s no hyperbole to say that the root principles of innovation — generating new ideas, looking for new markets, testing and designing new products and services — are imperative for business success. Being adaptable, growing, and staying ahead of the competition is essential for sustained long-term success, writes Michael Boyles in the HBR article, “Innovation in Business: What it is & Why its so Important”.
However, it is easy to get lost in the jargon and ambiguity of the word “innovation.” The word “innovation” often has a personal meaning to each of us and tends to evoke an “I’ll know it when I see it” feeling which does not translate in the business world of finite time and money. This can be complex and frustrating at organizations where the word “innovation” is bandied about without a mutually understood definition. The word becomes hollow and those often tasked with working on innovation projects find themselves up against a culture that doesn’t understand, respect or appreciate the work.
To troubleshoot this pain point, we’ve developed a clear process for defining innovation at your organization. This exercise is valuable for providing context and direction for new ideas and can help determine how innovation can add value to your organization in the future.
How do I build a definition of innovation?
Innovation is already ambiguous and when overused, easily becomes jargon. A definition can help put parameters around what is and is not in scope, thereby providing guidance when asking for resources to launch or test an idea and validate the time spent on developing a new idea.
What definitions are already out there?
Meriam Webster defines innovation as a new idea, method, device, or novelty.
Dictionary.com defines innovation as something new or different introduced.
Collins English Dictionary defines innovation as a new thing or new method of doing something.
Although these definitions are all very similar and center around the idea of novelty, they are unhelpful when it comes to the application of innovation in an organization. From a business lens, true innovation adds value to the underlying business or greater industry. So, how might you define innovation for your organization so that you can get better at quantifying and supporting it?
Let’s have a look!
Complete the Innovation Worksheet in Miro or download the PDF version below.
