About this course
What sparks an innovative idea?
It could be a problem that we encounter, which prompts the desire for a solution. It could be an insight into a particular challenge or trend, wherein we see an opportunity to effect change. It could simply be a vision of a different, better future.
That initial spark is the beginning of the innovation process. From that point, there is a succession of steps to be taken, which will further develop and refine our idea, insight, or vision.
The bottom line is that innovation doesn’t just “happen.” It’s something we have to work at diligently and consistently, in order to make happen. The arc from identifying a challenge, to conceptualizing a solution, to making that solution a reality, has many steps. It is easy to become overwhelmed, or overloaded, as pressing challenges and potential solutions swirl about. This is why we have set out a step-by-step process to take you on your innovation journey.
Research is a critical early step to the innovation process. Before launching into the development of a “solution,” it is critical to make sure that we understand the problem we are addressing, the way that different stakeholders perceive or experience that problem, and the ways in which your solution might affect them.
As you set out to refine your understanding of the problem at hand, you can use the following research progression.
