by John Brooker | Mar 28, 2016 | Collaborate, Develop Opportunities, Facilitate meetings, Innovate, Overcome Challenges, Tools
Have you ever rejected a solution from people on your team because it was not well thought through or not clear enough? Despite being a good idea, one reason a solution can fail to gain support or funding is because the innovator fails to either explain it properly or convince decision makers they have thought it through thoroughly. This can lead to negative responses, critical questioning and a chastened innovator. For the company, it can mean potentially good solutions lost and perhaps fewer ideas submitted in the future. In this short and practical article we explain how people on your team can develop a clear and powerful statement that enables the relevant people to understand it and make a sound decision on whether to proceed. This is an initial presentation of the solution, not a business case, something As a general rule, the proposition statement should include the following points: Specify who the problem impacts State what problem the proposition solves Describe the solution, explaining how it solves the problem (benefits) and how much of the problem it solves Explain how it differs from competing products These four points provide a statement that explains the basic proposition. Now to appraise and hone that proposition people need to: Show the issues and risks to be managed State who else has a significant stake in this solution, how interested they might be in it, what their level of influence is and how likely are they to use it Be clear on any data / information needed to progress Suggest solutions to overcome difficulties Identify the resources required to progress the solution...
