Being Intentional About Innovation

Innovation is often about what is new, what is being done differently. Innovation in the social sector is also rife. But can one develop a strategy around innovation, to maximize social value? Can being intentional about innovation contribute to the creation of more consistent and reliable commodity for social good?

The WB Kellog Institute commissioned a study, “Intentional Innovation: How Getting More Systematic About Innovation Could Improve Philanthropy and Increase Social Impact” to explore these questions. The work has been carried out jointly by the Monitor Institute and Clohesy Consulting.

The purpose of the report is to help non-profits and philanthropists understand that innovation is not necessarily as organic as it might seem. Drawing from several case studies, reports, books, and conversations, it lays down a framework for building a “Creating a Culture for Innovation.” The framework it points to has five sections:

1. Setting the Conditions and building the committmenent to innovate.

2. Defining the Problem or Opportunity. In short identifying the targets for innovation.

3. Generating the idea

4. Engaging in piloting and prototyping.

5. Diffusion and scaling the innovation.

By understanding the framework and the process of innovation, the report provides a tool for donors and philanthropists to formulate ways in which they can be ‘intentional’ about creating innovation, and thereby increasing their social impact.

Read the entire report here.