4 Evaluating Solutions

Coming back to the innovative and creative problem solving process, let’s now look at how we evaluate and choose from our exhaustive list of solutions we developed through the solution generation process.  When choosing between options, it’s critical to have a robust and complete decision making process that includes evaluating options in a way that is transparent and consistent.

The third key to innovation and solving problems creatively is to evaluate the solutions you have developed in a way that is aligned with your organizational goals and priorities. Keep in mind priorities and or goals should include financial sustainability (break even or profit goals) and alignment with the organization’s existing capabilities.

In this section we are going to look at how to evaluate potential solutions to complex problems. By the end of this section you will have demonstrated the ability to:

• Develop decision making criteria.
• Prioritize decision making criteria.
• Develop a complete data set for a selection of potential solutions.
• Apply the decision making framework to a complex problem.

Read/watch:

• Read Unleashing Innovation Chapters 9 & 10.
• Watch the How to Make a Decision video.

Assignment:

Assignment 3: Evaluating Solutions