Our approach To address these issues, we were approached to develop a comprehensive strategy and establish the necessary processes and structures for a dedicated innovation department. Our solution involved creating a customised innovation playbook tailored to our client’s needs. The Innovation Playbook

The playbook served as a step-by-step guide for managing innovation within the organisation. It addressed the key challenges and introduced strategies to foster a culture of structured innovation:

1. Full-Time Focus on Innovation:

◦ Employees assigned to innovation projects were required to dedicate their time fully to these efforts, eliminating conflicts with their primary roles.

◦ This ensured accountability and focus, enabling faster progress and better results.

2. Clear Processes for Innovation: ◦ A validation framework was introduced, guiding employees through the steps of idea development, testing, and iteration.

◦ Milestones were established to measure progress, with clear guidelines on what constituted success at each stage.

3. Metered Funding Model:

◦ Teams were allocated an initial budget to test their ideas.

◦ Additional funding was unlocked based on achieving specific validation milestones, ensuring resources were allocated efficiently.

4. Managerial Oversight and Support:

◦ Managers were provided with guidelines for evaluating progress, approving budgets, and supporting teams.

◦ Regular reporting mechanisms were introduced, creating transparency and facilitating better decision-making.

5. Centralised Resources and Communication: ◦ The playbook detailed where employees could find resources, whom to contact for support, and how to communicate progress effectively. Implementation and Outcomes

The playbook was rolled out across the organisation, accompanied by training sessions to ensure teams and managers understood the processes. Within the first six months, the organisation experienced transformative results:

• Improved Productivity: Employees reported greater clarity and focus in their innovation efforts. • Increased Project Success: The validation framework helped teams quickly identify viable ideas and discard non-viable ones, saving time and resources. • Enhanced Visibility: The organisation now had a clear view of all active projects, their status, and their potential impact. • Streamlined Decision-Making: Managers had clear criteria for funding and supporting innovation projects, ensuring consistent and transparent decisions. Conclusion By developing and implementing a tailored innovation playbook, expx helped this organisation establish a structured and efficient innovation department. Employees were empowered with the tools, resources, and processes they needed to innovate effectively, while leadership gained the oversight and metrics required to support and scale innovation efforts. Ready to Build Your Own Innovation Department?

At expx, we specialise in creating customised strategies and tools to transform your organisation’s approach to innovation. Whether you’re starting from scratch or optimising existing processes, we’re here to help.

Contact us today to learn how we can help your organisation innovate smarter.