What common mistakes are you making in operational planning and innovation?

1 Lack of alignment

One of the most common mistakes in operational planning and innovation is the lack of alignment between the strategic vision, the operational objectives, and the innovation initiatives. If these elements are not aligned, the business may waste resources, create confusion, and miss opportunities. To avoid this mistake, the business should ensure that its strategic vision is clear, communicated, and shared by all stakeholders, that its operational objectives are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound), and that its innovation initiatives are aligned with both the vision and the objectives.

2 Resistance to change

Another common mistake in operational planning and innovation is the resistance to change, both internally and externally. Internally, the business may face challenges such as cultural inertia, fear of failure, silo mentality, and lack of skills or incentives to innovate. Externally, the business may face challenges such as customer expectations, competitive pressures, regulatory constraints, and technological disruptions. To avoid this mistake, the business should foster a culture of innovation, where change is embraced, experimentation is encouraged, collaboration is promoted, and learning is valued. The business should also monitor and respond to the external environment, by understanding its customers, competitors, and trends, and by adapting its products, services, and processes accordingly.

3 Insufficient resources

A third common mistake in operational planning and innovation is the insufficient allocation of resources, such as time, money, people, and tools. Without enough resources, the business may struggle to execute its operational plans and implement its innovation projects, resulting in delays, errors, or failures. To avoid this mistake, the business should prioritize its operational and innovation activities, based on their impact, feasibility, and urgency. The business should also allocate adequate resources to each activity, taking into account the scope, complexity, and risks involved. The business should also track and measure the performance and outcomes of each activity, and adjust the resources as needed.

4 Poor communication

A fourth common mistake in operational planning and innovation is the poor communication between the different levels, functions, and units of the business. Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, duplication, or gaps in the operational and innovation processes. To avoid this mistake, the business should establish clear and consistent communication channels, methods, and protocols, for sharing information, feedback, and ideas. The business should also ensure that the communication is timely, relevant, and actionable, and that it reaches the right people at the right time.

5 Lack of evaluation

A fifth common mistake in operational planning and innovation is the lack of evaluation of the results and impacts of the operational and innovation activities. Without evaluation, the business may not know whether it is achieving its goals, whether it is improving its performance, or whether it is creating value for its customers and stakeholders. To avoid this mistake, the business should define and use appropriate indicators, metrics, and tools, to measure and analyze the results and impacts of its operational and innovation activities. The business should also use the evaluation findings to learn from its successes and failures, and to identify and implement improvements and changes.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?