You're navigating cross-functional R&D collaborations. How do you balance innovation and efficiency?

I always start with PO3: Purpose - why are we doing this? Objective - how do we want to achieve our goals? Outcome - what will be different in the way we cooperate? Output - which concrete results do we want to achieve? Jointly developing this PO3 combines the why, the how and the results in the dimensions of collaboration and the factual output. This way you create a safe container, resonance in the teams and a joint intention. As a consequence, you can derive the OKR's (objective and key results), define the milestones and set up a tracking system which helps you to anticipate potential hurdles way ahead of time. When you set intention and agree on the systems and process with PO3, you will have determined the teams success with 80%.

Clear goals are essential, but don’t make them too rigid. Instead, focus on aligning the team with a shared vision while leaving room for exploration. Set broad, inspiring targets that everyone buys into, but stay flexible on the path to get there. Real-time challenges like shifting priorities or unexpected roadblocks can derail the best plans, so build in checkpoints to recalibrate. Balancing structure with creative freedom is key to driving both innovation and efficiency.

To balance innovation and efficiency in cross-functional R&D collaborations, establish clear goals that emphasize both creativity and productivity. Encourage open communication to share diverse ideas while maintaining focus on project timelines. Implement structured brainstorming sessions followed by action-oriented planning to harness innovative thinking without compromising efficiency. Use agile methodologies to iterate quickly and adapt to new insights. Assign roles based on team members' strengths to streamline processes. Regularly review progress to ensure that innovation drives tangible outcomes, maintaining a balance that propels the project forward.

Growth mindset versus Controller mindset? In open innovation processes, which are rather social processes than technological processes. The PO3 process for target setting is a very helpful starting point. Additionally, shape an environment where you appreciate mistakes and failures as learning opportunities. Instead of asking: "Who did it" ask: "what can we learn from this?". Promote diversity in thoughts, opinions and solutions by giving the voice to the "silent" people and by making yourself vulnerable. Sometimes, initiate interventions which irritate others. This opens the space for the very important "a-ha" moment, where people open their minds and start listening empathically. And: listen 80% and ask questions 15%. Talk 5%.

Foster an environment where wild ideas are celebrated, but also where hitting deadlines and managing resources are just as valued. Make it clear that creativity and efficiency aren’t competing forces—they’re partners. Encourage open dialogue, give credit where it’s due, and reward those who push boundaries while keeping the project on track. When the team sees that both aspects are equally appreciated, they’ll naturally find that sweet spot.

What is your superpower? What is the superpower of your team members? What is the superpower of your partners? Gather people with completely different superpowers, ideally those who are better than you. Create an environment, where people can address their opinions and concerns openly. Make silent people talk. This will lead automatically to tensions. Be confident and accept those tensions as part of the process. Only tension catalyze new ideas. You just replace the word "or" with "and". All of the sudden you bring conflicting ideas into one. With a skillfully conducted PO3 process you automatically create a divers and safe environment. Use 4D mapping to exploit the diversity in your team effectively and to create new solutions.

The real challenge is turning those different perspectives into strengths, not roadblocks. Encourage everyone to bring their unique experiences to the table—what seems like an offbeat idea might be the key to a breakthrough. At the same time, these varied viewpoints can uncover smarter, faster ways to work. By embracing this diversity, you’re not just fostering innovation; you’re also finding new paths to efficiency. It’s about seeing differences as opportunities, not obstacles, to drive both creativity and productivity forward.

Use agile methods to break projects into bite-sized chunks, so the team can pivot and explore new ideas without losing momentum. Regularly assess and refine workflows—cut out the unnecessary steps that slow things down. This way, when a game-changing idea surfaces, your team can jump on it without missing a beat, keeping the project both innovative and on track.

The challenge is finding the right metrics that reflect both creativity and productivity without stifling either. Track progress, but remember that innovation isn’t always linear—sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come from detours. Regularly review your metrics, but use them as a guide, not a rulebook. This way, you can stay on top of efficiency while leaving space for those unexpected moments of brilliance that drive true innovation.

R&D is a constantly shifting landscape, so your strategies should evolve too. Regularly check in with your team, gather feedback, and be ready to tweak your approach as needed. Don’t cling to a plan just because it worked once. Stay flexible and open to new methods that might better serve your goals. By adjusting on the fly, you’ll keep the innovation flowing while ensuring efficiency doesn’t fall by the wayside.