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      Innovation Matrix Brainstorm

      An IdeaScale Whiteboard facilitator guide for Innovation Matrix Brainstorm

      This IdeaScale Whiteboard will be our collaborative space for generating and categorizing innovative ideas. We'll use its features to define a focus, brainstorm solutions, and map them onto the Innovation Matrix, as shown in the provided image.


      Brainstorming Objectives:

      • To define a specific focus area for innovation.
      • To generate a range of ideas related to the focus area.
      • To categorize these ideas within an Innovation Matrix (Basic, Sustaining, Breakthrough, Disruptive).
      • To visually represent the innovation landscape and identify opportunities.

      Timing: 90 minutes

      Introduction - 15 Minutes

      Brainstorming Instructions - 60 minutes

      Adjourn - 15 Minutes

      Tips for Facilitators

      Introduction (15 minutes)


      • Welcome participants and explain the purpose of the Innovation Matrix.
      • Explain the components of the matrix, as shown in the image:
        • Focus: Define the problem or area to focus on. Consider the high-level description and subsequent issues it covers.
        • Gather Ideas: Brainstorm ideas to address the focus area. Consider what kind of solutions would help move things forward.
          • Innovation Matrix:
          • Basic Innovation: Incremental improvements to existing products or processes that enhance functionality or efficiency without major changes.
          • Sustaining Innovation: Builds on existing products or services to make gradual improvements, meeting customer demands and enhancing current offerings without changing the core market.
          • Breakthrough Innovation: Develops entirely new products, technologies, or solutions that create significant shifts and open up new markets.
          • Disruptive Innovation: Introduces a new approach or technology that changes the market landscape, often making existing solutions less relevant or obsolete.
      • Explain how to use the digital sticky notes and whiteboard sections to define the focus, generate ideas, and map them to the matrix.

      Brainstorming Instructions (60 minutes)

      • Activity 1: Define the Focus (15 minutes):
        • Guide participants to define a specific problem or area they want to focus on for innovation.
        • Encourage them to consider the high-level context and any related sub-issues.
        • Use digital sticky notes to capture the focus area and its description in the "Focus" section of the whiteboard.
      • Activity 2: Gather Ideas (30 minutes):
        • Prompt participants to brainstorm ideas that address the defined focus area.
        • Encourage them to think creatively about various types of solutions that could drive progress.
        • Use digital sticky notes to capture these ideas in the "Gather Ideas" section of the whiteboard.

      • Activity 3: Map Ideas to the Innovation Matrix (15 minutes):
        • Guide participants to categorize the generated ideas within the Innovation Matrix.
          • Facilitate a discussion to determine whether each idea is:
          • Basic: Incremental improvement.
          • Sustaining: Gradual enhancement of existing offerings.
          • Breakthrough: New products or technologies creating significant change.
          • Disruptive: New approach changing the market landscape.
        • Move the digital sticky notes or create new ones to place the ideas in the corresponding quadrants of the Innovation Matrix on the whiteboard.

      Adjourn (15 minutes)

      • Summarize the ideas mapped onto the Innovation Matrix.
      • Discuss the distribution of ideas across the different innovation types.
      • Analyze potential opportunities or gaps in the innovation landscape.
      • Capture the final Innovation Matrix on the whiteboard and distribute it to participants.
      • Thank participants for their contributions.

      Tips for Facilitators

      • Ensure everyone understands the definitions of each innovation type (Basic, Sustaining, Breakthrough, Disruptive).
      • Encourage a wide range of ideas, from incremental improvements to radical innovations.
      • Use the digital whiteboard to visually organize the focus, ideas, and the Innovation Matrix.
      • Facilitate the discussion to ensure that ideas are accurately categorized.
      • Guide the analysis to identify strategic insights and potential innovation opportunities.