Ideation process

In the last blogs, we covered about translating HR strategy into objectives, high level initiatives and success metrics using Hoshin Kanri X-matrix. The next step is about identifying those big ideas to achieve the objectives and making strategic initiatives successful, this is where the brainstorming and workshop to be considered involving the right people. 

Kaizen blitz sessions are best to explore ideas and for problem solving. Pick the objectives/program that you want to achieve, setup an agile task force team (right people including key influencers and decision makers) to brainstorm and come up with ideas to achieve the goals. Use post-its and brown paper while performing this exercise.

Starting with the objectives, ask these questions

• What are the key blockers in people, process & technology areas that is preventing the organisation from achieving this objectives?
• Where do we stand now in terms of the KPI that we want to achieve?
• What problem needs to be resolved to improve our KPI to achieve success?

Use the right tools to identify root cause of the problem and when identifying the right approach to resolve these. Fishbone diagram, 5 Whys may be used for braintorming at this stage.

Capture as many ideas as possible. Once ideas are identified, capture in a way to ensure these are logged in a repository. The key information to be captured are 

1. What is the problem statement that we are trying to solve with clear measures?
2. What is the ideas?
3. What KPI will be improved including the target?
4. Having an idea about the impact of this idea and efforts required will help when prioritising on what needs to be done.
5. Impact of not doing?

It is important to collect all the ideas and create a seamless flow to deliver those ideas from inception to implementation with clear governance. Ideas then needs to be grouped if there is a common theme to form major initiative.

Below is a simple 4 step process from ideation to delivery to manage portfolio of projects/ideas/problems.

A simple form may be used to capture idea from across the organisation, below is an example - the key is to have clear problem statement even if there isn't a proposed solution or idea to resolve the problem.

Below is a simple workflow to identify improvements initiative in an HR organisation by deploying KPI's that matters and using innovation methods to fuel innovation from across the HR department.