Your team is divided on product innovation. How can you bridge the gap and foster collaboration?

One thing I found extremely beneficial is to have the formal AND informal leaders of an innovation team included in the upfront planning phase with core customer requirements fully understood and agreed upon as the most important aspect of any project. Allowing others to participate and sometimes lead the process of determining what should be the most appropriate course of action pays dividends when difficult decisions are required to move the process forward. Having a clear understanding of why we are doing what we are doing is key. Getting different aspects /people involved early in the process keeps them motivated allowing for others to champion the project as owners not just participants.

When facing division within a team on product innovation, it's essential to address the core issues head-on. In one project, my team was split on the direction of a new product line. I facilitated open discussions where each member could voice their concerns and ideas. This process was crucial for understanding the varied perspectives and finding a common ground. We discovered that while our approaches differed, our ultimate goal of innovating a user-centric product was the same. Acknowledging each member's unique insights and integrating them into our strategy fostered a collaborative environment, ultimately leading to a successful and cohesive product development process.

Deep dive, collect feedback, understand and address team concerns. Ensure the innovation approach is well aligned with business / product strategy and customer feedback. Bring a 'Big Picture' thinking to the team. Make sure the team understands how this specific product innovation track could contribute to the product / portfolio adoption, meet customer needs and translate into the company success.

Answer the fundemental questions around, what is the problem we are trying to solve and for whom are we solving it? Using processes around weighted positions and ranking will help raise the issues most common to the top. If there is too much that is equal then we may be at an impass and need to take a few steps back around the why and who. If we do not have a clear customer voice then what are we doing? Short of a customer voice what is the vision? And speaking of gaps withing a team, what is the gap we are trying to close in the market we are pursuing?

To bridge the gap in your team on product innovation, start by understanding the root of the divide. Listen to all viewpoints, identify common goals, and facilitate open discussions to find a balanced approach that aligns with your team’s objectives.

Separei 3 itens que devemos levar em considera??o. 1. Objetivos comuns. Estabele?a metas claras e comuns que todos na equipe possam apoiar. Certifique-se de que essas metas estejam alinhadas com a vis?o e os objetivos estratégicos da organiza??o. 2. Transparência. Comunique essas metas de forma transparente e certifique-se de que todos compreendam como suas contribui??es individuais se encaixam no quadro geral. 3. Indicadores de sucesso. Defina indicadores claros de sucesso para medir o progresso em dire??o às metas estabelecidas. Isso ajuda a manter o foco e a direcionar os esfor?os da equipe.

Setting clear, achievable goals is fundamental to fostering team alignment and driving successful product innovation. In a recent project, I noticed that unclear objectives were causing confusion and reducing our efficiency. To address this, we established specific, measurable goals that directly aligned with our broader company objectives. During a series of workshops, each team member was encouraged to contribute their insights, which helped clarify their roles and how their efforts contributed to the overall goals. We made sure these objectives were well-communicated and understood across the team. This approach not only enhanced our focus but also significantly improved collaboration and productivity.

Problem solving is quite simply getting from Point A to Point B. 1) Define the steps to reach Point B(Outcome/Result). 2) Define who is doing what. 3) What is the budget and what are the constraints. 4) What is the timeline. 1 day, 1 month, 1 year or 10 years? All timelines should get treated equally. The longer the timeline the more opportunities to save or spend.

Utiliser le concept des objectifs SMART (Spécifiques, Mesurables, Atteignables, Réalistes et Temporels) peut grandement améliorer l'alignement des efforts de l'équipe. Des objectifs SMART éliminent les ambigu?tés et évitent les conflits, car ils fournissent une direction partagée et des critères de succès bien définis. Chaque membre doit comprendre son r?le dans la réalisation de ces objectifs, ce qui facilite le suivi des progrès et maintient la concentration. Cette approche structurée est essentielle pour surmonter les défis de l'innovation.

Encourager l’empathie et l’écoute active est essentiel pour une collaboration efficace et l'innovation produit. L’empathie permet aux membres de l’équipe de comprendre les perspectives et les défis de chacun, créant ainsi un environnement inclusif et respectueux. En pratiquant l’écoute active, les membres peuvent réellement comprendre les idées et les préoccupations de leurs collègues, ce qui conduit à des discussions plus réfléchies et à une meilleure résolution des problèmes. Une équipe qui valorise l’empathie et l’écoute active est non seulement plus unie, mais aussi plus innovante et performante.

There is never a time to criticize. There is a time to provide empirically backed perspective. Even without data, source case studies or past experiences. Nobody should be denigrated. If there is a more serious criticism then either a 1:1 or a sidebar with the arbitor/PM could be helpful to navigate this type of disagreement.

thAt this point in my career, I pride myself on being able to mentor. However, I look forward to GenZ and generations in between sharing their perspective and observations. Gender, race, abilities and other differences bring fresh perspective because everyone has different lived experiences and that real life data is very useful and can really help with team building and product development.

Je propose est le cycle PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act). Plan : Identifiez les objectifs et les cibles de votre innovation. Définissez les étapes nécessaires pour atteindre ces objectifs. Do : Mettez en ?uvre le plan en développant des prototypes ou en lan?ant des phases pilotes. Check : évaluez les résultats obtenus en les comparant aux objectifs initiaux. Utilisez des métriques et des feedbacks pour analyser les performances. Act : Basé sur les évaluations, apportez les ajustements nécessaires. Intégrez les le?ons apprises dans le cycle suivant pour une amélioration continue. Ce cycle PDCA permet une amélioration continue et assure que l'innovation reste alignée avec les objectifs stratégiques de l'équipe.

There are many different processes. Stage gate, Six, Sigma, Agile, Waterfall, Design Thinking, etc. I have my own version of all of the above. But have a methodology to track ideas and the innovation process can remain creative under some structure.

Bridging a team divided in product innovation, especially in technology, requires fostering collaboration and open communication. Start by establishing a clear, shared vision that aligns with the company’s goals. Encourage cross-functional teams to work together, blending diverse skills and perspectives to spark creativity. Implement regular brainstorming sessions and innovation workshops to cultivate new ideas. Utilize collaborative tools and platforms to ensure seamless communication and idea-sharing. Recognize and celebrate small wins to maintain motivation and a sense of progress. By creating an inclusive and supportive environment, you can unify your team and drive technological innovation effectively.