Showcasing Solutions: Sharing and Validating with Stakeholders
Introduction
The Present stage is a critical moment in the Innovation Funnel. Here, teams showcase their work, communicate their ideas effectively, and gather the feedback necessary to refine or validate their solutions. It’s about more than just presenting; it’s about engaging your audience, inviting collaboration, and setting the stage for the next steps.
What is the Present Stage?
The Present stage focuses on communicating your ideas and engaging your audience. Whether through formal presentations, live demonstrations, or interactive workshops, the goal is to test how well your solution resonates with users and decision-makers.
Key activities in the Present stage include:
- Storytelling: Framing your presentation to show the journey from problem to solution.
- Demonstrations: Showcasing prototypes or models to make your ideas tangible.
- Feedback Collection: Using surveys, scoring rubrics, or live discussions to gather input.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Inviting key decision-makers to provide insights and align on next steps.
This stage ensures that your ideas are shared, tested, and improved based on real-world feedback.
Why is the Present Stage Important?
The Present stage allows you to:
- Validate your solution through direct engagement with stakeholders.
- Refine your ideas based on constructive feedback.
- Build buy-in and alignment for implementation.
It bridges the gap between development and execution, ensuring that your solution is both feasible and impactful.
Example
Let’s revisit the university recreation center example. After prototyping modular workout spaces, the team organizes a presentation for students, staff, and university administrators:
- Storytelling: The presentation begins by outlining the problem—declining attendance—and walks the audience through the Learn and Work stages that informed the solution.
- Demonstration: The team presents a scale model of the modular workout space and uses a slideshow to illustrate features like flexibility, lighting, and signage.
- Feedback Collection: Attendees complete a feedback form, scoring the solution on desirability, feasibility, and alignment with student needs. Suggestions include adding features like soundproof zones for quieter workouts.
- Stakeholder Engagement: During a Q&A session, university leaders express support for piloting the concept on a small scale.
By the end of the session, the team has clear feedback and a green light for further refinement.
How Present Connects to Synthesize
The Present stage flows naturally into the Synthesize phase by providing valuable feedback and stakeholder input. This information helps refine the solution, ensuring it meets user needs and aligns with organizational goals. For instance, feedback on the modular workout space might lead to design tweaks before the pilot phase.
FAQs
Q1: What if stakeholders don’t like the solution?
A: That’s part of the process! Use their feedback to identify gaps, refine your prototype, and improve alignment with their expectations.
Q2: How do I make my presentation engaging?
A: Focus on storytelling—clearly explain the problem, your process, and the solution. Use visuals, live demos, and relatable examples to capture attention.
Q3: What if feedback contradicts my earlier findings?
A: Validate the feedback by revisiting your research. If it’s credible, adapt your solution to address the new insights.
Learn More
Discover more about the Present stage and other parts of the Innovation Funnel: