Prototyping and Refining Solutions

In the DEVELOP stage, ideas generated in the WORK phase are brought to life through prototyping and iterative refinement. This phase bridges the gap between ideation and implementation, transforming abstract concepts into tangible solutions. Participants focus on testing, evaluating, and enhancing their ideas to ensure they are feasible, viable, desirable, and impactful.

By emphasizing rapid prototyping and iterative testing, the DEVELOP stage ensures that concepts are well-prepared for real-world application. This phase is crucial for identifying potential challenges early, refining solutions based on feedback, and aligning the team’s efforts with the overall goals of the Innovation Funnel.

The Purpose of DEVELOP

The primary purpose of the DEVELOP stage is to take ideas generated during the WORK phase and refine them into tangible, actionable solutions. This phase bridges conceptualization and implementation, ensuring that ideas are thoroughly tested and improved before they are presented to a wider audience. Specifically, the DEVELOP stage aims to:

• Transform Ideas into Prototypes: This phase focuses on translating abstract concepts into physical or digital prototypes that represent the solution’s core functionality and potential impact. By creating prototypes, teams can evaluate how well ideas address the problem statement and meet stakeholder needs.
• Gather Meaningful Feedback: Prototypes are shared with key stakeholders, end-users, and team members to collect valuable insights about usability, effectiveness, and alignment with the problem statement. Feedback is essential to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
• Iterate for Improvement: The DEVELOP stage embraces an iterative approach, where solutions are refined through multiple cycles of feedback and testing. This ensures that the final output is as robust and practical as possible.
• Build Confidence in the Solution: By testing and refining ideas, teams can demonstrate the viability and feasibility of their solutions. This builds trust among stakeholders and ensures alignment with organizational goals and values.
• Enhance Collaboration and Buy-In: The iterative nature of this phase fosters a sense of shared ownership and collaboration, encouraging stakeholders to stay engaged and committed to the process.

The DEVELOP stage is crucial for bridging the gap between ideation and implementation, ensuring that solutions are well-grounded, practical, and poised for success in the next phase.

Activities in the DEVELOP Stage

The DEVELOP stage involves forming teams that represent key points of view (POVs) identified in the problem statement. These teams actively engage in designing, testing, and refining solutions. Key activities include:

• Forming Teams with Diverse POVs: Teams are created to ensure representation of various perspectives, fostering well-rounded solutions.
• Planning the Solution: Teams develop a structured plan to address the problem, leveraging the design thinking process introduced in the WORK stage.
• Reinforcing Design Thinking Skills: The second cycle of design thinking exercises builds participants’ skills and creative confidence, making the process more familiar and efficient.
• Developing Hi-Fi Prototypes: Teams create high-fidelity prototypes that showcase the core functionality and potential impact of their solutions.
• Testing and Feedback: Prototypes are evaluated by other participants and key stakeholders, generating data on feasibility, desirability, viability, and potential impact.
• Showcasing Key Artifacts: Teams prepare artifacts from their development journey, including a presentation deck, script, and prototype, to clearly communicate their solution’s value.

These structured activities ensure that participants gain hands-on experience while creating prototypes ready to be showcased in the PRESENT stage.

Key Deliverables

By the end of the DEVELOP stage, participants should produce several key deliverables, including:

• Refined Prototypes: High-quality models or mock-ups that incorporate feedback and demonstrate the solution’s core functionality and potential. These prototypes serve as the centerpiece for showcasing the solution’s value in the next phase.
• Feedback Reports: Comprehensive summaries of stakeholder and participant feedback, highlighting key insights, strengths, and areas for improvement. These reports provide a transparent record of how decisions were made.
• Iteration Records: Documentation of the changes made during the refinement process, detailing how feedback was incorporated into successive iterations. This record offers a clear narrative of the solution’s development journey.
• Feasibility and Viability Assessments: Evaluations of each prototype’s practicality, scalability, and alignment with organizational goals. These assessments help prioritize solutions that are most likely to succeed in real-world implementation.
• Presentation Readiness: Teams prepare to showcase their prototypes by creating presentation decks, scripts, and key artifacts that clearly communicate their solution’s impact, feasibility, and value. These materials ensure a polished and professional presentation in the PRESENT stage.
• Stakeholder Buy-In: Alignment and support from key stakeholders, gained through their active involvement in testing and feedback. This ensures a strong foundation for moving forward with confidence.
• Team Alignment and Momentum: The DEVELOP stage fosters a sense of achievement and collaboration among team members, ensuring they are motivated and unified as they transition into the PRESENT phase.

These deliverables provide the foundation for transitioning into the PRESENT stage, where the solutions will be shared, validated, and prepared for launch.

Tips for Success in DEVELOP

To maximize the effectiveness of the DEVELOP stage, teams should consider the following tips:

• Start Simple: Focus on creating low-fidelity prototypes that are quick and cost-effective to produce. These allow for rapid testing and iteration.
• Prioritize Feedback: Seek input from a diverse range of stakeholders to ensure prototypes address real needs and challenges.
• Iterate, Iterate, Iterate: Embrace the iterative process by making continuous improvements based on feedback.
• Document Changes: Keep detailed records of modifications to track progress and show stakeholders how their input shaped the solution.
• Focus on Feasibility and Viability: Regularly evaluate whether solutions are practical, scalable, and aligned with organizational goals.
• Test in Realistic Scenarios: Whenever possible, test prototypes in environments that mimic real-world conditions to gain meaningful insights.
• Encourage Collaboration: Foster open communication and teamwork to leverage the collective expertise of the group.
  Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge milestones and achievements to keep the team motivated and focused.

By following these tips, teams can ensure that the DEVELOP stage produces well-rounded solutions that are ready for validation and implementation.

What to Expect Moving Forward

With refined prototypes and valuable feedback, your team is now ready to transition into the PRESENT stage. Here, you will share your solutions with a broader audience, validate their impact, and prepare for full-scale implementation.

If you have questions or need support navigating the DEVELOP stage, please contact us. We’re here to help you succeed at every step of the Innovation Funnel.