For Small and Mid-Sized Companies -
The Reliable Way to Grow an Innovation Success Culture

Innovation Engineering Management System is a methodical, step by step approach, to growing an innovation success culture. It uses a Waved Approach to changing the mindset of the culture. It starts by accelerating success with a small team of volunteers working on a Very Important Problem or Opportunity (VIP/VIO). With success, more confidence is grown through additional Waves of small teams working on projects for new processes, new products, new services and new methods of operation. With continued waves of success - through a combination of both ideas that go forward successfully AND ideas that are quickly and smartly “killed” - leadership and organizational confidence in the new innovation mindset grows. At this point, a commitment is made to make it sustainable through the training and certification of internal Innovation Engineering Black Belts.

Step 1. The Leader Commissions & Coaches a 3 Month Innovation Wave by Company Pioneers

A team of 4 to 6 volunteers from your company spend 2 to 4 hours a week for 3 months as part of the project team that make up the first Wave of Innovation Pioneers. The Wave is lead by a certified Innovation Engineering Black Belt with active engagement and coaching from the company leader. The Wave often starts with three weeks of two-hour Innovation Engineering training events where the volunteers learn the new mindset on how to CREATE, COMMUNICATE AND COMMERCIALIZE Meaningfully Unique ideas. The fourth week is a full day CREATE session where the team applies what they’ve learned on existing and/or fresh ideas for profitable growth. Two projects are accelerated with eight weeks of Fail FAST, Fail CHEAP coaching using a private InnovationEngineeringLabs.com project portal designed for small and mid sized companies.

Step 2. Quarterly Innovation Wave Management Review & Recommissioning

At the end of 3 months new ideas have been accelerated as the Pioneers have gained experience and confidence. The Leader and other members of the company management meet with the Innovation Pioneers in a quarterly review to review what has been learned from a system, culture and project perspective. The Leader then commissions one or more additional Innovation Waves to build personal and organizational innovation confidence and capability. At the conclusion of the Quarterly Meeting the Innovation Pioneers who have been actively involved in all steps become certified Innovation Engineering Green Belts. Those that are interested can then move on to Innovation Engineering Black Belt Certification.

 At the end of the next quarter, Leaders have the choice of a) continuing to commission additional waves of projects to grow sales and profits plus employee confidence in innovation or b) commit to developing sustainable internal innovation capability through Innovation Engineering Black Belt Certification.

Step 3. Developing Sustainable Capability through Innovation Engineering Black Belt Certification

Ideally, two people - one from the leadership team and one from the project team - start the certification process. The training and certification for Innovation Engineering Black Belt involves learning how to lead the new innovation mindset and culture. It’s more significant than most certifications. It’s the full body of knowledge taught as part of the I.E. University Undergraduate Minor & Graduate School Certificate.

The training starts with the candidates attending the intensive 5 day Innovation College. The certification program continues with the Black Belt candidates helping lead and coach Innovation Engineering project waves. To guarantee system success - your local Innovation Engineering Black Belt provides weekly coaching support for all projects plus monthly leadership team learning summits to customize the Innovation Engineering system for the needs of the organization. Quarterly Leadership Reviews ensure total alignment with the Innovation culture change movement.

What’s Next? It will take AT LEAST 3 YEARS to make a tangible, lasting and sustainable change in your culture. At the start, an external Innovation Engineering Black Belt will lead the process. As your internal Black Belts become certified the external Black Belt will focus on coaching and supporting the Black Belt as opposed to leading the process.