review · Strategy · 30–60 min · 1-10 people · low energy

Innovation Matrix Assessment

The Innovation Matrix Assessment helps organizations understand their current innovation maturity across different program types (Hunter, Builder, Explorer, Experimenter). By self-assessing maturity levels, teams can identify strengths, weaknesses, and potential areas for strategic growth in their innovation efforts.

When to use Innovation Matrix Assessment

Use this method when an organization needs to evaluate its current innovation capabilities and identify strategic areas for improvement. It's particularly useful when deciding where to allocate resources for future innovation initiatives.

What it solves

Lack of clarity on the organization's current innovation capabilities and direction; misallocation of resources due to a poor understanding of existing strengths and weaknesses.

How to run Innovation Matrix Assessment, step by step

  1. Download and distribute the Innovation Matrix PDF. (5 min)
  2. Individually, have each participant assess the organization's maturity level for each of the 16 innovation formats within the matrix. (20 min)
  3. As a group, discuss the individual assessments and identify areas of consensus and disagreement. (20 min)
  4. Plot the agreed-upon maturity levels on the matrix to visualize the organization's overall innovation profile. (10 min)
  5. Discuss strategic implications and identify 2-3 key areas for improvement or further investment. (5 min)

Materials needed

  • Printed Innovation Matrix PDF
  • Pens/Markers
  • Whiteboard or digital collaboration tool (e.g., Miro, Mural)

Facilitator tips

  • Encourage honest and open self-assessment.
  • Focus the discussion on identifying actionable insights rather than dwelling on past performance.

Common pitfalls

  • Participants may overestimate or underestimate the organization's maturity level.
  • Ensure a diverse group of participants to get a balanced perspective.

Variations

  • Use an online survey tool to collect individual assessments anonymously before the group discussion.
  • Focus the assessment on a specific department or business unit rather than the entire organization.

Running it online or hybrid

Use a shared digital whiteboard to visualize the matrix and individual assessments.

What it produces

A completed Innovation Matrix showing the organization's maturity level across different innovation program types, along with identified areas for strategic focus.

Origin

Adapted from Board of Innovation — source

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