The Cycle of Innovation
Innovation is a dynamic and iterative process, enabling organizations to develop new solutions while adapting to ever-changing challenges. At Robinson Ventures, we embrace this cycle as the foundation for meaningful progress, guiding ideas from inception to refinement in order to drive sustainable growth and impactful results.
Each stage of the cycle plays a critical role in transforming bold ideas into actionable outcomes:
Every cycle begins with a spark—the inception of an idea that seeks to address unmet needs or anticipate future challenges. This is the creative phase, where concepts are developed and prepared for mobilization, whether physically, logistically, or organizationally. Innovation thrives on a forward-thinking mindset, challenging the status quo to create solutions that truly make a difference.
The next stage sees the transition of an idea into a fully realized product or solution. Through careful planning and execution, it is introduced into the marketplace or embedded within the organization. Effective implementation demands not only precision but also flexibility, as real-world conditions often shape the rollout process.
With the product or solution in place, the focus shifts to studying its behavior and influence. This analytical phase is crucial for identifying strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement, enabling informed decision-making moving forward.
Feedback serves as the engine of innovation, driving continuous improvement through evaluation and iteration. By analyzing what problems the product has fully solved, where it may have fallen short, and how these gaps can be addressed, organizations refine their solutions for greater efficacy.
The cycle concludes with retrofitting—an essential step in ensuring that innovations remain relevant, sustainable, and impactful. Retrofitting transforms the innovation cycle into a forward-looking framework, maintaining momentum and fostering continuous evolution.
If it seems like this approach wouldn't fit the culture of your organization, then perhaps Stage Gate Innovation is a better option.
