Showcasing Solutions and Validating Impact

The PRESENT stage is the culmination of the Innovation Funnel, where teams showcase their refined solutions to a broader audience. This phase focuses on communicating the value and impact of each solution, gathering final feedback, and preparing for full-scale implementation. It is a moment to celebrate progress, validate outcomes, and inspire stakeholder confidence.

The PRESENT stage allows teams to demonstrate their ideas’ journey, from identification and ideation to refinement and prototyping. By effectively presenting their work, teams validate their solutions and build momentum for future initiatives.

The Purpose of PRESENT

The PRESENT stage aims to share refined solutions with stakeholders, gather final feedback, and prepare for successful implementation. This phase serves as the culmination of the Innovation Funnel, transforming prototypes into actionable plans and building momentum for real-world application. Specifically, the PRESENT stage aims to:

• Validate Solutions: Ensure that the prototypes developed in the previous stage meet the needs and expectations of stakeholders. Validation involves assessing feasibility, viability, desirability, and potential impact.
• Communicate Value: Clearly articulate the benefits and impact of each solution, highlighting how they address the problem statement and align with organizational or stakeholder goals. This includes demonstrating how the solution is practical, scalable, and aligned with long-term objectives.
• Engage Stakeholders: Foster a sense of collaboration and alignment by involving stakeholders in the evaluation process. Their feedback and buy-in are critical for the success of the solution’s implementation.
• Celebrate Achievements: Recognize and honor the efforts, creativity, and progress of the teams involved. This stage is an opportunity to reinforce the value of the process and build confidence in the outcomes.
• Prepare for Implementation: Develop a roadmap for the next steps, ensuring teams are equipped with a clear plan, resources, and stakeholder support to transition solutions from concept to reality.

The PRESENT stage is both an end point for the development process and a launching pad for real-world impact. By effectively showcasing solutions and fostering alignment, this phase ensures that innovations are ready to make a tangible difference.

Activities in the PRESENT Stage

The PRESENT stage involves structured activities designed to showcase solutions, gather final feedback, and align stakeholders for successful implementation. These activities ensure that each solution is evaluated comprehensively and effectively communicated. Key activities include:

• Solution Demonstrations: Teams present their high-fidelity prototypes, focusing on their functionality, impact, and alignment with the problem statement. These demonstrations allow stakeholders to see the tangible results of the innovation process.
• Interactive Feedback Sessions: Stakeholders engage with the presented solutions through live Q&A sessions, hands-on testing, or structured discussion formats. This feedback provides critical insights to fine-tune solutions further.
• Presentation Decks and Artifacts: Teams prepare polished presentation materials, including decks, scripts, and key artifacts from their development journey. These materials help effectively communicate the story, value, and potential of the solution.
• Validation Metrics: Stakeholders evaluate the solutions using predefined criteria such as feasibility, desirability, viability, and potential impact. This structured evaluation ensures objectivity and clarity in assessing the solutions.
• Showcase Events: Organized showcase events provide a formal platform for teams to present their work to a broader audience, including organizational leaders, end-users, and community members. These events highlight the collaborative efforts and celebrate the achievements of the teams.
• Stakeholder Alignment Discussions: Teams facilitate discussions with stakeholders to address questions, gather additional support, and ensure alignment on next steps. These discussions are crucial for building momentum and securing buy-in.
• Implementation Roadmapping: Teams collaborate to develop a clear roadmap outlining the next steps for scaling or implementing their solutions. This includes timelines, resource requirements, and identified responsibilities.

By engaging in these activities, participants ensure that their solutions are well-prepared for transition and that stakeholders are confident in their value and potential.

Key Deliverables

By the end of the PRESENT stage, teams should produce several key deliverables that demonstrate the readiness of their solutions and lay the groundwork for successful implementation. These include:

• Polished Presentations: Professional-quality presentation decks and scripts that effectively communicate the solution’s value, feasibility, and potential impact. These materials should guide stakeholders through the development journey, from problem identification to prototype refinement.
• Validated Prototypes: High-fidelity prototypes that incorporate feedback from the DEVELOP stage, demonstrating functionality, usability, and alignment with stakeholder needs. These prototypes serve as the centerpiece of the solution’s presentation.
• Stakeholder Feedback Summaries: Comprehensive reports that capture input from stakeholders during interactive feedback sessions, highlighting areas of support, questions raised, and suggestions for improvement. These summaries provide a transparent view of stakeholder engagement and validation.
• Implementation Roadmaps: Detailed plans outlining the steps needed to scale or implement the solution, including timelines, required resources, identified risks, and assigned responsibilities. These roadmaps ensure that teams and stakeholders are aligned on next steps.
• Engagement Metrics: Data capturing the level of stakeholder participation, feedback scores, and alignment with validation criteria such as feasibility, desirability, and viability. These metrics reflect the solution’s readiness and stakeholder support.
• Artifacts from Development: Key materials from the development journey, such as sketches, iteration records, and testing data. These artifacts showcase the iterative process and reinforce the credibility of the solution.
• Team Reflection and Learnings: A summary of insights gained throughout the process, highlighting lessons learned, unexpected challenges, and areas for future improvement. This reflection can help inform and strengthen future innovation projects.

These deliverables not only validate the solutions presented but also ensure that teams and stakeholders are prepared for the transition to full-scale implementation.

Tips for Success in PRESENT

To maximize the effectiveness of the PRESENT stage, teams should consider these expanded tips:

• Tailor Presentations to the Audience: Understand the specific needs, interests, and expectations of your audience. Customize your presentation to address these factors, ensuring it resonates and captures their attention.
• Tell a Story: Use narrative techniques to guide your audience through the journey of your solution. Highlight the problem, the process, and the final prototype, weaving in key moments that demonstrate the value and impact of your work.
• Practice, Practice, Practice: Rehearse presentations multiple times to refine delivery, ensure smooth transitions between speakers, and anticipate potential questions from the audience.
• Focus on Impact: Emphasize the real-world benefits of your solution. Clearly connect the prototype to stakeholder needs and organizational goals, demonstrating its practical value and potential for scalability.
• Be Open to Feedback: Create an environment that encourages constructive feedback. Show a willingness to adapt and make final adjustments based on stakeholder insights, reinforcing collaboration and alignment.
• Engage the Audience: Incorporate interactive elements such as live demonstrations, hands-on prototype testing, or digital polls to actively involve the audience and foster engagement.
• Highlight Team Efforts: Celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of all team members. Reinforce the collaborative nature of the process to inspire confidence and unity.
• Visualize Data and Outcomes: Use clear and compelling visuals to communicate complex information. Charts, graphs, and infographics can make key points more accessible and memorable.
• Prepare for Next Steps: Conclude your presentation by outlining a clear roadmap for implementation. Include specific timelines, resource needs, and responsibilities to demonstrate readiness and instill confidence in the solution’s feasibility.
• Anticipate Challenges: Proactively address potential risks or obstacles that may arise during implementation. Offer mitigation strategies to reassure stakeholders of your solution’s robustness.
• Foster Emotional Connection: Appeal to the audience’s values and emotions by showing how the solution directly impacts people, solves pressing challenges, or aligns with shared goals.
• Reflect on Progress: Share lessons learned and milestones achieved throughout the process. This not only showcases growth but also builds trust in the team’s capabilities.

By following these tips, teams can deliver compelling, impactful presentations that validate their solutions and pave the way for successful implementation.

What to Expect Moving Forward

With solutions validated and stakeholder alignment achieved, the next step is to transition from the PRESENT stage to full-scale implementation. This involves executing the recommendations developed during this phase and monitoring outcomes to ensure success.

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