Innovation is no longer the sole focus of the Research & Development department. Indeed, to emerge on increasingly competitive markets, to gain in agility, but also to meet the need of Millennials to find meaning in their work, innovation has become participatory. Because everyone can innovate. Indeed, to embark on a process ofcollaborative innovationIn fact, embarking on an innovation process means starting from the principle that any employee can think of a better way of doing things. And that everyone has the opportunity to participate in the innovation process. In this context, a collaborative innovationplatform can help you give your employees a space to express themselves.
But before you launch yourcollaborative innovation platform, make sure you are (at least) ready! To check this, we have prepared a 9-step checklist.
Your checklist before launching acollaborative innovation
- You have devised an innovation process. This process should describe all the stages ofcollaborative innovation, from the proposal of an idea to its implementation. Don't hesitate to define several processes, for example, for ideas that are easy to implement and for more structural ideas. [READ ALSO: Thecollaborative innovation process in infographic]
- You have determined criteria for evaluating innovations.
- You have identified a selection committee. People with a variety of backgrounds who will evaluate the new ideas proposed.
- You have formalised rules and defined major innovation themes. It is essential that your employees know what you expect of them. This is why it is essential to draw up guidelines to give them a framework within which they will dare to propose new ideas. In addition, don't hesitate to indicate the main themes on which you would like to be more innovative. You can then monitorcollaborative innovation in relation to these themes. And if you want your employees to propose initiatives on "any topic", say so too 😉
- You have established measurement indicators to assess the effectiveness of yourcollaborative innovationprocess.
- You have prepared for whatcomes after. After idea management, how do you support the implementation of projects? This can be done, for example, by providing deployment kits for easy-to-implement ideas. It is also important to plan how you intend to give visibility to emerging ideas.
- You have convinced one or more sponsors. Your management committee must support the innovation process to infuse the culture of collective intelligence into your organisation, particularly among managers. READ ALSO: Survival guide for innovators who act in hierarchical companies].
- You have identified ambassadors. Enthusiastic people who will support and animatecollaborative innovation. Do not hesitate to make them a community that you will animate over time.
- You have planned a communication campaign. When you launch a platform atcollaborative innovation, you should start by announcing that this tool exists. Take advantage of this to remind people of the rules you have previously formalised, as well as the themes on which you expect proposals. You can also use this opportunity to promote your ambassadors!
Would you like to start this type of innovation process, but you haven't ticked all the boxes? Don' t hesitate to ask for support! You will then be able to launch yourself knowing what you expect from yourcollaborative innovation platform!
