Continuous Update

Of course, even beyond Phase 5 and the innovation process, the acceptance and benefits of the innovation products or services created, as well as the fulfillment of sustainability criteria, must be reviewed and, if necessary, adjustments made to changing framework conditions.

Stakeholder Corridor & Consumer Acceptance

For the acceptance of the innovation products or services and their subsequent added value or market sales, it is important that you know the society’s expectations and requirements. For this purpose, you should involve internal, but also external stakeholders at an early stage.

Phase 0 – Target Setting & frame

In Phase 0, discuss the framework for your innovation project, identify the intended (societal) benefits, and set a clear target direction. Use key societal and or policy frameworks as a guide, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the concept of Planetary Boundaries, or international or national policy frameworks.

• Stakeholder Analysis / Mapping
• PESTEL Analyse

!Crosscheck Phase o
Keep an eye on your goal alignment throughout the entire innovation process. Regularly cross-check with the goals and guiding principles you formulate in Phase 0.

Checklists for each phase help to monitor progress in the SIP

Phase 1 – Idea Generation & Idea Assessment

In phase 1, deal with the concrete design of your innovation idea. In a first step, collect or consolidate ideas and possible solutions for your innovation. Make a selection and question, compare and evaluate. It is important that you also take into account the sustainability perspective established in phase 0.

Possible Activities and Methods:

Phase 2 – Concept Development & Product Planning

The focus in phase 2 is on the more detailed design of the selected innovation idea. The focus here is on conception, planning and elaboration of the innovation product. Analyze your innovation idea in terms of economic viability at this stage and also keep an eye on the sustainability perspective.

• Materiality analysis (continued)
• Economic viability analysis / business case
• (Foresight) lifecycle analysis (LCA)
• Consumer acceptance analysis / customer convenience

!Crosscheck Phase
Keep an eye on your goal alignment throughout the innovation process. Regularly cross-check with the goals and guiding principles you formulate in Phase 0.

Checklists for each phase help to monitor progress in the SIP

Phase 3 – Product Development and Prototype Creation

Phase 3 is about implementing the innovation idea – about the actual manufacturing of a product or the development of a service. You should already consider the interaction of supply and value chains as well as target group-oriented and sustainable product characteristics. In addition, the sustainability of the product / service plays an important role here insofar as the developed solution should provide as much social benefit as possible while leaving an as small (ecological) footprint as possible.

• Materiality analysis (continued)
• Economic viability analysis / business case (continued)
• Lifecycle analysis (LCA)
• SCRUM
• Lean startup

!Crosscheck Phase
Keep an eye on your goal alignment throughout the innovation process. Regularly cross-check with the goals and guiding principles you formulate in Phase 0.

Checklists for each phase help to monitor progress in the SIP

Phase 4 – Pilot Application & Testing

In Phase 4, create a pilot version of the product or service and plan an extensive testing phase. Once you have completed your product, launch a pilot version and take the opportunity to conduct consumer testing. Also deal with the scaling of the product or service and prepare for serial production or the ultimate rollout.

• Consumer acceptance analysis (continued)
• Market analysis
• Produkt design

!Crosscheck Phase
Keep an eye on your goal alignment throughout the innovation process. Regularly cross-check with the goals and guiding principles you formulate in Phase 0.

Checklists for each phase help to monitor progress in the SIP

Phase 5 – Production & Market Launch

Phase 5 is about the start of production of the final product or the rollout of the service and the introduction to the market – the launch. By means of targeted, fact-based communication and (sustainability) marketing, you can set yourself apart from competitors. For long-term customer acceptance, the focus here should also be on customer orientation and sustainability.

• Consumer / customer acceptance analysis (continued)
• 4C marketing

!Crosscheck Phase
Keep an eye on your goal alignment throughout the innovation process. Regularly cross-check with the goals and guiding principles you formulate in Phase 0.

Checklists for each phase help to monitor progress in the SIP