INNOVATIONTOOLS: p-r

(A tool for separating the major causes (the ‘vital few’) of a problem, from the minor ones (‘trivial many’).

A powerful approach to identifying and understanding users and their needs

Closely linked to the SWOT approach (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) this is a simple way of developing a map of the factors and forces in the environment which affect the strategic challenges and opportunities facing an organisation.

Various tools for combatting assumptions.

A tool for exploring strategy by breaking down big themes into smaller elements.

This is a framework and self-assessment package originally developed by the UK Department of Trade and Industry. Based on interviews with over 70 successful firms, it provides a simple assessment and some guidance on development paths and actions.

Portfolio Management (PM) techniques are systematic ways of looking at a set of projects or activities or even business units, in order to reach an optimum balance between risks and returns, stability and growth, attractions and drawbacks in general, by making the best use of usually limited resources.

PRFAQ (Press Release and Frequently Asked Questions) framework is a methodology popularised by Amazon for product development and innovation. This approach prioritises defining the product and its value proposition from the customer's perspective before development begins. There’s a detailed account in the book by Marcelo Calbucci "The PRFAQ Framework" which adapts Amazon's original concept into a comprehensive system suitable for various roles including founders, product managers, and executives.

A tool that translates customer requirements, expressed in the customers’ language, into an action plan.

A tool for evaluating continuous improvement.

A useful explanation and introduction to the McKinsey problem solving approach adapted for the needs of product development managers

A tool for exploring possible causes of innovation project failure by anticipating what might go wrong.

 A tool for analysing strengths and weaknesses of projects.

A tool to help implementation of innovation by trying to think through what might happen and developing contingency plans for how to deal with those problems.

A useful tool to help analysis where and when different approaches to innovation may be needed. Can also apply to services.

The product/process matrix is a simple tool for mapping whether or proposed strategic choices around your firm`s product portfolio are in line with your overall manufacturing capability.

A tool for representing processes as sequences of time-based activities. It considers the whole process – paying particular attention to interfaces between different types or stages of processes.

A tool for testing innovation.

An approach to brainstorming which focuses on questions rather than solutions as its starting point. 

Rapid prototyping technologies and approached are another powerful technological resource in product development.

A tool for exploring and mapping the relationship between different entities involved in a problem

A set of tests to help explore creative abilities around divergent thinking.

The basic idea behind portfolio models is that there are different types of technology.

A widely-used framework model for building responsible innovation into innovation decision-making

A useful technique in creative problem solving.

A tool for representing complex problems and identifying possible routes through to their solution.

A simple way of ranking different potential projects in terms f their potential benefit and the likely risks or costs in implementing them.

A tool for looking ahead to some kind of future state and then tracking back through the stages needed to get to that state.