Innovators matrix

Why?

Innovators Matrix is a method inspired by Sawhney, Wolcott and Arroniz (2006). The matrix displays four central dimensions through which a company can look for opportunities to innovate. The students use this method to analyze the current situation of the company with the purpose of writing a problem statement. The student may, for instance, discover that the company has a very narrow focus on innovation through only one or two dimensions, or discover new opportunities for innovation.

How?

The teacher asks the students to draw the Innovators Matrix on a big piece of paper. Next, the teacher asks the students to take a 390-degree walk around the matrix in order to determine the current situation of the company; ‘Through which dimension does the company currently innovate and how?’ When all four dimensions are filled in with notes, drawings or post-its, the students write a problem statement.

Tips

The students can also use the method as a steppingstone for the idea generation phase. They do this by generating new ideas through the different dimensions of the model. During this activity, they write down their ideas on post-its and place them into the corresponding dimensions.

Literature

Sawhney, M., Wolcott, R. C. and Arroniz, I. (2006). The 12 Different Ways for Companies to Innovate. MIT SLOAN Management Review, spring, pp. 75-81.